On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. In this international emergency, the association of surgeons in the United States called for canceling planned (elective) operations in hospitals.
Elective surgery or planned surgery is an operation that does not have to be done immediately because it has no indication of a threat to life or disability. This condition is different from emergency surgery, which is an operation that needs to be done as soon as possible because there is a risk of loss of life or disability.
If you are planning to have surgery and need a COVID-19 test, click on the link below so you can be directed to the nearest health facility:
- Rapid Test Antibodies
- Antigen Swab (Rapid Test Antigen)
- PCR
Examples of Planned Operations and Emergency Operations
The Association of Surgeons in the United States has provided guidelines and advice to hospitals to postpone planned surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines cover how doctors evaluate certain medical situations and postpone planned surgeries to suppress the transmission of the Corona virus.
To make it easier to understand the difference between a planned operation and an emergency operation, an example of each type of operation is described below.
Some examples of planned operations are:
- hernia surgery
- Cosmetic surgery
- Reconstruction Operation
- Joint replacement surgery
- Surgery to lose weight (bariatric)
Some examples of emergency surgery are:
- Surgery in shock due to acute bleeding
- Surgery on trauma
- Bowel blockage or bowel leak surgery
- Emergency cesarean section
Some urgent surgeries (need to be done in less than 24 hours) are:
- An appendectomy
- Open fracture surgery
- Operation in case of infection
Why Should Planned Operations Be Delayed During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
There are many considerations for postponing planned operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of them is the concern that planned surgical procedures could contribute to the spread of the Corona virus in hospitals.
Another reason is to focus medical personnel, health facilities, as well as medical equipment and equipment in hospitals, including beds and intensive care units (ICU), breathing apparatus, and personal protective equipment (PPE), on handling the number of Corona virus infections. cases continue to grow rapidly.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also a consideration for postponing planned surgeries. According to CDC data, about 25% of people who contract COVID-19 do not show any symptoms. This means that there is the potential for patients who will be operated on or their families unknowingly bringing the Corona virus to the hospital.
In fact, there are many patients hospitalized with other diseases, such as heart disease or cancer, who have a high risk of contracting the Corona virus and experience fatal complications if exposed to COVID-19.
In addition, it should also be considered that patients who are recovering after surgery are at high risk of contracting the Corona virus while they are hospitalized and can experience dangerous complications due to infection with this virus.
The length of the planned surgery delay depends on the length of the COVID-19 outbreak. The sooner the reduction in cases occurs, the sooner surgery can be performed. While waiting for the right time, the patient can still consult the surgeon by telephone, video call, or application.
If you still have questions about surgery or postponement of surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can chat directly with the doctor on the ALODOKTER application. You can also make an appointment for a consultation with a doctor at a hospital through this application, if an immediate examination by a doctor is necessary.
Written by:
dr. Sonny Seputra, M.Ked.Klin, SpB, FINACS
(Surgeon Specialist)
