Trends and outcomes for non-elective neurosurgical procedures in Central Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic

Publication

Trends and outcomes for non-elective neurosurgical procedures in Central Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal Paper/Review - Mar 17, 2021

Netuka David, Linzer Petr, Smrcka Martin, Juran Vilem, Klener Jan, Tomas Robert, Suchomel Petr, Dvorak Josef, Sames Martin, Sejkorova Alena, Krahulik David, Pohlodek Daniel, Haninec Pavel, Callo Andrej, Kroupa Robert, Kaiser Miroslav, Hrabovsky Dusan, Jancalek Radim, Thomé Claudius, Kramer John L K, Raabe Andreas, Esculier Clarinde, Schaller Karl, Lavé Alexandre, Marbacher Serge, Wanderer Stefan, Kuhlen Dominique E, Guatta Ramona, Serra Carlo, Niggli Cedric, Bozinov Oliver, Kälin Vincens, Cesak Tomas, Krupa Petr, Tichy Michal, Gruber Andreas, Navarro Francisco Ruiz, Rossmann Tobias, Kretschmer Thomas, Resch Alexandra, Mokry Michael, Freigang Sascha, Meiners Laura C, Gsellmann Sina, Pinggera Daniel, Mathis Andrea Maria, Dedeciusova Michaela, Warner Freda M, Petr Ondra, Spendel Mathias, Winkler Peter A, Marhold Franz, Priban Vladimir, Kasik Petr, Fiedler Jiri, Kerekanic Martin, Lipina Radim, Krska Lukas, Voldrich Richard, Rath Sebastian, Trivik-Barrientos Felipe A, Mühlbauer Manfred, Pfisterer Wolfgang, Rössler Karl, Wais Jonathan P, Sherif Camillo, Grassner Lukas

Citation

Netuka D, Linzer P, Smrcka M, Juran V, Klener J, Tomas R, Suchomel P, Dvorak J, Sames M, Sejkorova A, Krahulik D, Pohlodek D, Haninec P, Callo A, Kroupa R, Kaiser M, Hrabovsky D, Jancalek R, Thomé C, Kramer J, Raabe A, Esculier C, Schaller K, Lavé A, Marbacher S, Wanderer S, Kuhlen D, Guatta R, Serra C, Niggli C, Bozinov O, Kälin V, Cesak T, Krupa P, Tichy M, Gruber A, Navarro F, Rossmann T, Kretschmer T, Resch A, Mokry M, Freigang S, Meiners L, Gsellmann S, Pinggera D, Mathis A, Dedeciusova M, Warner F, Petr O, Spendel M, Winkler P, Marhold F, Priban V, Kasik P, Fiedler J, Kerekanic M, Lipina R, Krska L, Voldrich R, Rath S, Trivik-Barrientos F, Mühlbauer M, Pfisterer W, Rössler K, Wais J, Sherif C, Grassner L. Trends and outcomes for non-elective neurosurgical procedures in Central Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6171.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Sci Rep 2021; 11

Publication Date

Mar 17, 2021

Issn Electronic

2045-2322

Pages

6171

Brief description/objective

The world currently faces the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic. Little is known about the effects of a pandemic on non-elective neurosurgical practices, which have continued under modified conditions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This knowledge might be critical for the ongoing second coronavirus wave and potential restrictions on health care. We aimed to determine the incidence and 30-day mortality rate of various non-elective neurosurgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective, multi-centre observational cohort study among neurosurgical centres within Austria, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland was performed. Incidence of neurosurgical emergencies and related 30-day mortality rates were determined for a period reflecting the peak pandemic of the first wave in all participating countries (i.e. March 16th-April 15th, 2020), and compared to the same period in prior years (2017, 2018, and 2019). A total of 4,752 emergency neurosurgical cases were reviewed over a 4-year period. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a general decline in the incidence of non-elective neurosurgical cases, which was driven by a reduced number of traumatic brain injuries, spine conditions, and chronic subdural hematomas. Thirty-day mortality did not significantly increase overall or for any of the conditions examined during the peak of the pandemic. The neurosurgical community in these three European countries observed a decrease in the incidence of some neurosurgical emergencies with 30-day mortality rates comparable to previous years (2017-2019). Lower incidence of neurosurgical cases is likely related to restrictions placed on mobility within countries, but may also involve delayed patient presentation.