2023 Volume 43 Issue 2 Pages 99-108
Surgical restrictions have been initiated four times in Japan since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. The number of operations was restricted during emergency declaration periods in our operation center. To evaluate the effect of these restrictions on surgical procedures, we retrospectively examined data on patients who underwent surgery from 2017 to 2021 at our hospital.
In 2020, the number of elective surgeries, emergency surgeries, surgeries of poor performance status（ASA-PS＞＝3）and cardiac/upper digestive organ operations decreased significantly, reflecting people’s hesitation to visit medical facilities due to fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection. In 2021, the number of elective surgeries increased, while emergency operations decreased. The increase in elective surgeries is likely due to growth in the vaccination rate. The number of cesarean sections and otorhinolaryngology surgeries did not change significantly.
These findings suggest that we need to not only prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection but to facilitate medical examination and surgical procedures. In the COVID-19 era, it is important to consider preparing for new infectious disease pandemics in the future.
