Objectives: During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, surgical activity decreased due to an overload of the health system and to reduce SARS-COV-2 transmission. The objective of our study was to evaluate characteristics, analyze complications and survival up to one year of patients who underwent radical cystectomy in our hospital from March 1 to May 31, 2020 (period of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain). We also compared the results with cystectomized patients enrolled in an ERAS program but outside the pandemic period.

Methods: Retrospective, single-center cohort study of patients scheduled for radical cystectomy from March 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020; they were matched with previously operated patients through propensity matching score 1:2. The matching variables were demographic data, preoperative and intraoperative clinical conditions.

Results: A total of 23 radical cystectomies with urinary diversion were performed in the period described. The minimally invasive approach was more frequent in the pandemic group. Three patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during their admission. We did not find statistically significant differences in postoperative complications or in mortality up to one year of follow-up.

Conclusion: The first wave effect of the COVID-19 pandemic did not increase complications or mortality in patients who underwent radical cystectomy in our hospital, although a clear tendency was observed to have more and more severe complications. Performing the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test preoperatively was critical to control in-hospital transmission. The correct selection of surgical patients during the first wave was essential to optimize their evolution.

References: 1. Guan W.J.Ni Z.Y,Hu Y.et al. Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in China. N Engl J Med. 2020;382: 1708-1720.

2. Ministerio de la Presidencia, Relaciones con las Cortes y Memoria Democrática. Real Decreto 463/2020, de 14 de marzo, por el que se declara el estado de alarma para la gestión de la situación de crisis sanitaria ocasionada por el COVID-19. BOE no 67 de 14 de marzo de 2020. 2020;67(I):25390-400.

3. Stensland KD, Morgan TM, Moinzadeh A, et al. Considerations in the triage of urologic surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur Urol. 2020;77:663–6.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.06.102

© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.