Impact of COVID 19 Pandemic on Surgical Specialties in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

Background: The global pandemic caused by the novel human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in unprecedented changes in the modern healthcare system. The pandemic has lead to massive redirection of health care resources to treat the surge of COVID-19 patients. Elective surgical cases have been cancelled, outpatient clinics have reduced and there has been a reduction in the number of patients presenting with surgical emergency. Objective: The aim of this article is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on surgical specialties in a tertiary care hospital in Durg, Chhattisgarh, India. Material and methods: The data was collected from the digitalized record system of Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and Research Centre (JLNHRC), O.T. Registry in O.T. Complex of JLNHRC for the period of 3 years from April 2018 to march 2021. COVID-19 statistics were obtained from the official government websites. Results: Statistically significant decrease was seen in almost all aspects of surgical specialties due to the pandemic. During the 2nd wave some specialties have improved compared to the 1st wave but unfortunately not to the pre pandemic levels. Conclusion: The pandemic has brought tremendous downfall in all aspects of surgical care; though with time and better knowledge of the disease recovery to previous levels can be slowly expected.