key: cord-335192-ezl7xgeb
authors: Lai, Paul BS
title: COVID‐19 and surgical practice
date: 2020-07-22
journal: Surg Pract
DOI: 10.1111/1744-1633.12444
sha: 
doc_id: 335192
cord_uid: ezl7xgeb

nan

From PubMed, 2 if you try to search "COVID-19 and surgery" as keywords, you will find 3219 publications published in the past few months. The most significant impact worldwide is the suspension of elective operations as surgical patients were deprived of access to operation theatres and intensive care units. Such kneejerk reaction was considered appropriate by many when hospitals were overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. The number of surgical operations being cancelled or deferred was unprecedented. Although the knock-on effects on surgery waiting time are yet to be seen, it is almost certain that there will be collateral damage to surgical patients in terms of loss of function or risk of adverse prognosis. 3 An interesting phenomenon was the proliferation of guidelines 

By making use of the online platform, surgical training and surgical education could be delivered to medical students as well as specialists, as part of their continuous medical education. We should explore novel ways to allow learning of clinical skills without going through the conventional face-to-face models. In preparing better the surgical workforce to face future pandemic challenges, we may have to consider how we can equip frontline surgeons with the necessary skills and credentials to manage and care for patients suffering from COVID-19 or other infectious diseases if the demand surges. 

Respiratory virus shedding in exhaled breath and efficacy of face masks

Immediate and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delivery of surgical services

COVID-19 and laparoscopic surgery: scoping review of current literature and local expertise

The Medical Council of Hong Kong Ethical Guidelines on Practice of Telemedicine

5G-assisted telementored surgery