Björk Flap Tracheotomy for COVID-19 Pneumonia With Massive Thyroid Struma: A Stable Airway to Expedite Ventilator Weaning

Covid-19 negatively impacted on small oncology surgery but none on major procedures: Regional experience

AIM

To understand the impact of COVID pandemic on the activity and patients' care of the Head and Neck regional Unit, temporary moved in a COVID-free hospital.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the yearly activity of the "Head & Neck Cancer Unit" at the Azienda Ospedali Riuniti Marche Nord (Italy) during 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic) and we compared it with the one performed in 2019. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed comparing the total number of patients treated for H&N squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 2019 with the ones in 2020. Moreover, no differences were identified in term of cancer stage at the moment of the surgery between 2019 and 2020. On the contrary, a significant reduction in the number of surgical procedures carried out for thyroid (p < 0.05) and skin (p < 0.001) malignancies was identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite Covid-19 limitations, our institution was able to preserve the number of major oncologic procedures without negative impact on patients' care. We believe that the creation of specific COVID-free hospital can be the key preserve quality of care in epidemic emergency.