CoViD-19 Pandemic and Bariatric Surgery in Argentina
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CoViD-19 Pandemic and Bariatric Surgery in Argentina Axel F. Beskow 1,2
& Pedro R. Martinez-Duartez
2,3
4
& Estuardo J. Behrens Estrada & Felipe E. Fiolo
2,5
& Almino C. Ramos
6
Received: 15 May 2020 / Revised: 20 September 2020 / Accepted: 23 September 2020 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Argentina was able to anticipate public health interventions in order to flatten the contagion curve of CoViD-19. Eighty-three surgeons answered an online survey to assess the impact of the pandemic on bariatric surgery (BS) in Argentina. Most of them showed a high economic dependence on BS. Near 90% of health institutions were on phase 0 or I. While 90% still performed other laparoscopic surgeries, BS was suspended. In many surgeries for nonsuspected CoViD-19 patients, high personnel protection resources were applied. Ninety-five percent offered virtual consults. Most surgeons would not change usual algorithms or techniques. To restart BS a scientific society recommendation was expected, including patient selection criteria. The opinions gathered by this survey were taken into account to elaborate official recommendations for restarting elective BS. Keywords Bariatric surgery . CoViD-19 pandemic . SARS-CoV2 . Public health regulations . Personal protective equipment
Introduction The SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has specific characteristics that have led to its rapid global dispersion, jeopardizing all levels of health services in the affected countries [1–3]. Obesity [4–8] and, in particular, BMI over 35, is a risk factor for a severe CoViD-19 infection, even more significant than other conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. Clearly, measures such as social distancing and reinforcement of personal hygiene habits reduce the possibility of transmission. The state of the pandemic in Latin America differs from that of the northern hemisphere [9]. Time and distance allowed for the implementation of public health interventions
* Axel F. Beskow [email protected] Pedro R. Martinez-Duartez [email protected] Estuardo J. Behrens Estrada [email protected] Felipe E. Fiolo [email protected] Almino C. Ramos [email protected]
at an early phase with the aim of flattening the curve and preparing the health system to properly address the peak intensity of the epidemic. The first case in Argentina was reported on March 3rd, 2020, and by March 19 the national government had issued mandated social distancing by decree, which suspended virtually all economic activities. By that date, 30 new cases had been detected, mostly from people that had traveled abroad. These regulations resulted in a stagnation in the number of new infections with a bigger-than-expected flattening of the curve, and a virtual halt on all programmed healthcare services, including face-to-face consults and most elective surgeries. This situation became widespread throughout the vast territory of the country.
1
Bariatric Surgery at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Air
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