P-17 The impact of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic on surgical oncology cases at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
Author(s):
K. Brown , I. Tennant , P. Roberts , L, Powell , P Toppin
Year of Presentation:
2022
Objective: To evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on prostatectomies, mastectomies, colectomies, and hysterectomies done at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).
Design and Methods: Data was extracted from the records for the main operating theatre of the UHWI, for all cases done between January 1st, 2016, and September 30th, 2021. Patients who underwent any of these surgeries with a diagnosis of an associated cancer were included. The covid pandemic in Jamaica was considered to start March 1st, 2020, based on the detection of the first case in the island.
Results: 921 cases were identified, 145 colectomies, 280 mastectomies, 114 prostatectomies and 382 hysterectomies. Comparisons were made of the mean number of cases done monthly pre and post pandemic. The rates pre and post were, 4.12 and 4.11 for mastectomies (p = 0.976), 2.20 and 2.0 for colectomies (p = 0.713), 5.65 and 5.74 for hysterectomies (p = 0.881) and 1.88 and 1.16 for prostatectomies (p = 0.012). The proportion of males in the population decreased from 20% to 15% (p = 0.155). The mean age for patients pre and post were, 55.8 and 56.1 for mastectomies (p = 0.842), 63.2 and 63.7 for colectomies (p = 0.82), 58.5 and 58.4 for hysterectomies (p = 0.91) and 63.7 and 61.2 for prostatectomies (p = 0.176).
Conclusion: Except for prostatectomies, the pandemic has had little impact on the number of common oncological surgeries done at the UHWI. Investigation of the causes of the decreased number of prostatectomies is needed.