Gianluca Matteo  Sampietro,Carlo  Corbellini,Caterina Baldi,Salvatore  Barberi,Roberto  Bollina,Giuseppe  De Angelis,Giuseppe  Giuliani,Gianpiero  Manes,Barbara  Omazzi,Carla  Pessina,
Surgery Safety Protocol for Patients and Staff During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic – A Prospective Study of 78 Consecutive, Open and Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures
Surgical Case Reports
2020
2613-5965
http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.SCR.2020.12.28
https://www.sciencerepository.org/surgery-safety-protocol-for-patients-and-staff-during-the-covid-19_SCR-2020-12-128 
Abstract: Background: To evaluate safety, for patients and staff, and efficacy of a protocol for the surgical treatment
of patients during COVID-19 pandemic (50 days period) in a hospital located in the northern Italy.
Methods: Two different pathways were adopted (non-COVID-19 and COVID-19), with dedicated OR and
ICU, and PPE for personnel. A monitoring of patients and staff for COVID-19 was carried out.
Results: 78 patients were included. Laparoscopy was used in 33.4% without gas filtration. COVID-19-
positive patients (11.5%) were older men (0.04%), with elevated ASA score (0.002), and two or more
comorbidities (0.02). They experienced longer hospitalization (0.003), more complications and more deaths
(0.0001). All COVID-19 related deaths were due to severe acute respiratory syndrome. None of the patients
included resulted infected, but one out of 47 staff personnel (<2%).
Conclusion: COVID-19 is largely unknown, but a safe and effective surgical pathway is feasible.Keywords:  COVID-19 pandemic, surgical pathway, staff safety, patient safety, COVID-19 & SARS CoV-2