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Safety of Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Comparison to the Pre-Pandemic Era.
- Source :
-
Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part B. Skull Base . 2022, Vol. 83 Issue 5, pe419-e429. 11p. - Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to the surgical care of patients with pituitary tumors. Guidance issued early during the pandemic suggested avoiding transnasal approaches to minimize risks of transmitting COVID-19 to health care professionals involved in these procedures. Methods This observational, single-center study compares results of endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (TSA) for pituitary tumors since the start of the pandemic to a pre-pandemic period. Anesthetic time, surgical time, and complication rates were compared. Newly acquired COVID-19 infections and transmission rates to patients and staff were reviewed. Data were analyzed by using the independent t -test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Pearson Chi-square test, significance set at p <0.05. Results Over a 12-month period, a total of 50 and 69 patients underwent endoscopic TSA for pituitary tumor during and before the pandemic, respectively. All patients tested negative for COVID-19 preoperatively. Median duration of anesthesia was 35 minutes (interquartile range [IQR]: 22) during the pandemic and 25 minutes (IQR: 8, p = 0.0002) pre-pandemic. Median duration of surgery was 70 minutes (IQR: 28) during the pandemic and 79 minutes (IQR: 33.75, p = 0.126) pre-pandemic. There were no statistically significant differences between intraoperative CSF leaks and complication rates. No staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Three patients tested positive for COVID-19 postdischarge, but the infections were community acquired. Conclusion In contrast to published guidelines, adequate preoperative testing, a multidisciplinary approach and the implementation of standardized protocols and vaccination against COVID-19 allow for endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery to be performed safely in patients with pituitary pathology during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 21936331
- Volume :
- 83
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part B. Skull Base
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 157908821
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1730352