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Coronaviruses

Safe Head and Neck Surgery During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Continued head and neck cancer care and surgical treatment were ensured during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tokyo, Japan, using a uniform infection screening protocol. The study evaluated the safety and feasibility of this approach, comparing medical records from the first and second wave of the pandemic to the pre-pandemic period. The results showed that all patients received surgical treatment as planned, and all medical staff involved in the surgeries were uninfected.

Key Takeaways:

  • The uniform infection screening protocol used in the study allowed for safe head and neck surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tokyo, Japan.
  • A total of 208 patients with head and neck malignancy underwent surgical treatment during the first and second wave of the pandemic and the pre-pandemic period.
  • All 127 patients received surgical treatment as planned, and all 1247 medical staff members involved in the surgeries were uninfected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
  • During the first wave of the pandemic, there was a 20% reduction in head and neck surgery required, but restrictions on surgery were not necessary during the second wave.
  • The study found no significant differences in surgical procedure, length of hospitalization, postoperative complications, and number of medical staff between the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods.
  • The data indicate that continuation of head and neck anticancer surgical treatment in an epidemic area during the COVID-19 pandemic was safe and feasible with strict preventive measures.
  • The study was funded by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) and was published in the Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Statistics:

  • 208 patients with head and neck malignancy underwent surgical treatment during the first and second wave of the pandemic and the pre-pandemic period.
  • 127 patients received surgical treatment as planned.
  • 1247 medical staff members were involved in the surgeries and were uninfected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
  • 20% reduction in head and neck surgery required during the first wave of the pandemic.
  • No significant differences in surgical procedure, length of hospitalization, postoperative complications, and number of medical staff between the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods.

Sources:

  • Uniform Infection Screening Allowed Safe Head and Neck Surgery During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic In Japan. Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2021;51(3):400-407.

Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology:

Oxford Univ Press, Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England.

(Oxford University Press - www.oup.com/; Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology - jjco.oxfordjournals.org)

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Kenya Kobayashi, National Cancer Center, Dept. of Head and Neck Surgery, Tokyo, Japan.

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