Marco Oderda1, Giorgio Calleris1, Marco Falcone1, Giuseppe Fasolis2, Giovanni Muto3, Gianluca Oderda4, Francesco Porpiglia5, Alessandro Volpe6, Oscar Bertetto7, Paolo Gontero1. 1. Division of Urology, Molinette Hospital-Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, Torino, Italy. 2. Division of Urology, Ospedale San Lazzaro, ASL-CN2 Alba-Bra, Alba, Italy. 3. Humanitas Gradenigo Hospital, Torino, Italy. 4. Credit Suisse AG, Zurich, Switzerland. 5. Division of Urology, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy. 6. Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy. 7. Rete Oncologica del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta, Torino, Italy.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically hit all Europe and Northern Italy in particular. The reallocation of medical resources has caused a sharp reduction in the activity of many medical disciplines, including urology. The restricted availability of resources is expected to cause a delay in the treatment of urological cancers and to negatively influence the clinical history of many cancer patients. In this study, we describe COVID-19 impact on uro-oncological management in Piedmont/Valle d'Aosta, estimating its future impact. METHODS: We performed an online survey in 12 urological centers, belonging to the Oncological Network of Piedmont/Valle d'Aosta, to estimate the impact of COVID-19 emergency on their practice. On this basis, we then estimated the medical working capacity needed to absorb all postponed uro-oncological procedures. RESULTS: Most centers (77%) declared to be "much"/"very much" affected by COVID-19 emergency. If uro-oncological consultations for newly diagnosed cancers were often maintained, follow-up consultations were more than halved or even suspended in around two out of three centers. In-office and day-hospital procedures were generally only mildly reduced, whereas major uro-oncological procedures were more than halved or even suspended in 60% of centers. To clear waiting list backlog, the urological working capacity should dramatically increase in the next months; delays greater than 1 month are expected for more than 50% of uro-oncological procedures. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 emergency has dramatically slowed down uro-oncological activity in Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta. Ideally, uro-oncological patients should be referred to COVID-19-free tertiary urological centers to ensure a timely management.
INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically hit all Europe and Northern Italy in particular. The reallocation of medical resources has caused a sharp reduction in the activity of many medical disciplines, including urology. The restricted availability of resources is expected to cause a delay in the treatment of urological cancers and to negatively influence the clinical history of many cancer patients. In this study, we describe COVID-19 impact on uro-oncological management in Piedmont/Valle d'Aosta, estimating its future impact. METHODS: We performed an online survey in 12 urological centers, belonging to the Oncological Network of Piedmont/Valle d'Aosta, to estimate the impact of COVID-19 emergency on their practice. On this basis, we then estimated the medical working capacity needed to absorb all postponed uro-oncological procedures. RESULTS: Most centers (77%) declared to be "much"/"very much" affected by COVID-19 emergency. If uro-oncological consultations for newly diagnosed cancers were often maintained, follow-up consultations were more than halved or even suspended in around two out of three centers. In-office and day-hospital procedures were generally only mildly reduced, whereas major uro-oncological procedures were more than halved or even suspended in 60% of centers. To clear waiting list backlog, the urological working capacity should dramatically increase in the next months; delays greater than 1 month are expected for more than 50% of uro-oncological procedures. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 emergency has dramatically slowed down uro-oncological activity in Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta. Ideally, uro-oncological patients should be referred to COVID-19-free tertiary urological centers to ensure a timely management.
Authors: Kristian D Stensland; Todd M Morgan; Alireza Moinzadeh; Cheryl T Lee; Alberto Briganti; James W F Catto; David Canes Journal: Eur Urol Date: 2020-04-09 Impact factor: 20.096
Authors: Marco Oderda; Morgan Roupret; Giancarlo Marra; Axel S Merseburger; Gianluca Oderda; Marco Falcone; Carlo Ceruti; Shahrokh F Shariat; Paolo Gontero Journal: Eur Urol Date: 2020-04-24 Impact factor: 20.096
Authors: A Méjean; M Rouprêt; F Rozet; K Bensalah; T Murez; X Game; X Rebillard; R Mallet; A Faix; P Mongiat-Artus; G Fournier; Y Neuzillet Journal: Prog Urol Date: 2020-03-30 Impact factor: 0.915