Melbourne colorectal collaboration: a multicentre review of the impact of COVID-19 on colorectal cancer in Melbourne, Australia

Chen, MZ; Tay, YK; Teoh, WMK; Kong, JCH; Carne, P; D&#39;Souza, B; Chandra, R; Bui, A; Melbourne Colorectal Collaboration

Author(s): Chen, MZ; Tay, YK; Teoh, WMK; Kong, JCH; Carne, P; D'Souza, B; Chandra, R; Bui, A; Melbourne Colorectal Collaboration;
Details: Publication Year 2022-05,Volume 92,Issue #5,Page 1110-1116
Journal Title: ANZ Journal of Surgery
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: As coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to rise, healthcare workers have been working overtime to ensure that all patients receive care in a timely manner. Our study aims to identify the impact and outcomes of COVID-19 on colorectal cancers presentations across the five major colorectal units in Melbourne, Australia. METHODS: This is a retrospective study from a prospectively collected database from the binational colorectal cancer audit (BCCA) registry, as well as inpatient records. All patients with colorectal cancer between Pre-COVID-19 period (1 July 2018-2030 June 2019) and COVID-19 period (1 July 2020-2030 June 2021) were compared. Benign pathology and other cancer types were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 1609 patients were included in the study (700 Pre-COVID-19 period, 906 COVID-19 period). During COVID-19 period, there was a higher proportion of emergency surgery (28.1% vs. 19.8%; P < 0.001), a higher nodal (P = 0.024) and metastatic stage (P = 0.018) at presentation, but no increase in the rate of return to operating theatres (P = 0.240), inpatient death (P = 0.019) or 30-day readmission (P = 0.000). There was also no difference in the post-operative surgical complications (P = 0.118). Utility of neoadjuvant therapy did not increase during the pandemic (P = 0.613). CONCLUSION: The heightened measures in the healthcare system ensured CRC patients still received their surgery in a timely fashion. With the current rise in the new strain of COVID-19 (Omicron), we have to continue to come up with new strategies to provide timely access to CRC care.
Keywords: *COVID-19/epidemiology; *Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery/therapy; Humans; Pandemics; Patient Readmission; Retrospective Studies; Covid-19; colorectal cancer
Department(s): Surgical Oncology
PubMed ID: 35393720
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.17603
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2024-10-16 03:58:20

Last Modified: 2024-10-16 03:59:23