Surgery During COVID 19
Surgery During COVID 19
In general, many hospitals around the country are delaying "NON-ESSENTIAL" operations and procedures. It's hard to know what that really means, but if the operation can safely be delayed by 12 weeks, that gives a sense. If someone is having life-threatening issues, then of course surgery needs to be done. Luckily since many neuroendocrine tumors are slow growing, we have the flexibility to wait a little longer until it is safer.
Here are the issues with surgery. Hospitals may be actively caring for patients with COVID-19. Hopefully they are taking full precautions, but there is always the risk of exposure. Second, we are trying to limit contact with others, so when you have surgery, you come into contact with many, many people. Third, when you have surgery, it uses a lot of supplies and equipment which we are trying to conserve now.
In terms of traveling, I would just delay it for the same general reasons why ALL travel is going down. Of course there are always exceptions. Some people are choosing to drive instead of fly.
It is a difficult situation. I would have close communication with your NET team to get the best advice. We are now doing telemedicine to limit contact. Be safe.
Eric Liu, M.D., FACS, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC)-Midtown
