Incidence of COVID-19 in general surgery emergency and complications associated in different types of management

Background
COVID-19 disease causes complications that are classified according to likelihood to high such as venous thromboembolism, acute kidney injury, and postintensive care syndrome. Other complications are low in likelihood such as cytokine release syndrome, pancreatic injury, gastrointestinal complications, and pregnancy-related complications. Mortality and morbidity are really high when it is combined with surgical intervention especially under general anesthesia.
Objectives
To evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 in general surgery emergency and complications associated in different types of management.
Patient and method
This is a retrospective study from June 2020 to January 2021 including all COVID-19 positive cases admitted in general surgery department during previously mentioned period. Before September 2020, screening for COVID was based on swab for only clinically suspected COVID-positive patients. Starting from September 2020, routine swab to all admitted patients was done. All data collected about included cases in study underwent statistical analysis to get results.
Results
In this study, incidence of COVID-19 is 1.35%, mortality incidence is 26.4% (about 92.9% of mortality cases underwent surgery) and morbidity incidence is 30.2%. About 74% (73.6%) of positive cases improved and discharged. Management of cases is according to guidelines of management to each disease and decision of ER consultant. About 77.4% of cases are managed surgically; about 70.7% of cases operated upon underwent exploration. However, 60.4% of cases are admitted with sepsis and septic shock. Asymptomatic cases for COVID during admission are 26.4%.
Conclusion
Incidence of COVID-19 in acute general surgery emergency in Kasr Al-Ainy is not that high. However, cases operated upon in the era of COVID are associated with high incidence of mortality. Cases are presented to our institute late, which might be an effect of lock down.