Impact of COVID-19 on the surgery department of a hospital in Paraguay

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53732/rccsalud/2025.e7402

Keywords:

COVID-19, surgery, pandemic

Abstract

In December 2019, the global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) drastically impacted countless aspects of daily life worldwide, including education, the economy, and emotional well-being. This pandemic changed the medical profession, especially in the field of thoracic surgery. According to several medical reports, elective surgical procedures were delayed or rescheduled; organ transplant surgeries were among the most affected. Numerous protocols and recommendations have been established for emergency surgeries. Today, the healthcare system is prioritizing the training of health personnel and ensuring that hospitals are properly equipped to respond effectively in the event of future pandemics(1–3).

The purpose of this letter is to share the experiences and adjustments made in the surgery department of the National Institute of Respiratory and Environmental Diseases (INERAM) in Asunción, Paraguay, during COVID-19 and at present.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Wang R, Zhong R, Liang H, Zhang T, Zhou X, Huo Z, et al. Thoracic surgery and COVID-19: changes and managements during the pandemic. J Thorac Dis. 2021;13(3):1507–16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33841943/

Sreide K, Hallet J, Matthews JB, Schnitzbauer AA, Line PD, Lai PBS, et al. Immediate and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delivery of surgical services. Br J Surg. 2020;107(10):1250-61. https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.11670

Aubert O, Yoo D, Zielinski D, Cozzi E, Cardillo M, Dürr M, et al. COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide organ transplantation: a population-based study. The Lancet Public Health. 2021;6(10):e709–19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(21)00200-0/fulltext

Doglietto F, Vezzoli M, Gheza F, Lussardi GL, Domenicucci M, Vecchiarelli L, et al. Factors Associated With Surgical Mortality and Complications Among Patients With and Without Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy. JAMA Surg. 2020;155(8):691–702. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2020.2713

Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social, Dirección General de Vigilancia de la Salud (2023). Situación Epidemiológica de la Covid-19 en Paraguay, 2020-2022 Paraguay, 2023. https://dgvs.mspbs.gov.py/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/14082023_ANUARIO-COVID-19-2020-2022.pdf

Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social, Dirección General de Vigilancia de la Salud (2023). Sala de situación epidemiológica de COVID-19 en el Paraguay. Reporte número 196. Paraguay, 2023 https://dgvs.mspbs.gov.py/0files/boletines_covid19/SE52_2022_Boletin_Covid19.pdf

Published

2025-11-27

How to Cite

1.
Impact of COVID-19 on the surgery department of a hospital in Paraguay. Rev. cient. cienc. salud [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 27 [cited 2026 Jul. 22];7:01-4. Available from: https://revistascientificas.upacifico.edu.py/index.php/PublicacionesUP_Salud/article/view/931