Evaluation of the Head and Neck Surgery During the Pandemic COVID-19: A Tertiary Care Center Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: There is a notable shift in the attitude of the admission, review, diagnostics, and follow-up of patients for all the medical sectors and of particular interest of cancer patients. The present study aimed to elaborate on the identification of patients with head and neck cancers (HNCs); the diagnostics, the triage, and the best treatment plan were all evaluated and at the same time compared with the years before the pandemic at a tertiary care center that caters to various other patients also. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational clinical study was conducted at the tertiary care center that catered to all the medical specialties. The demographics, the patient characteristics, the surgeries performed, complications, mortality, and readmissions were evaluated and compared with the pre-coronavirus disease (COVID) time. Results: There was a significant difference in the complications for the pre-COVID time when the groups were compared for the matched pair. Conclusion: The proper screening and triaging of the patients will help in the early intervention of the patients with the HNCs.