COVID-19 PANDEMIC: IMPACT ON GYNAECOLOGICAL ENDOSCOPY AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL IBADAN


G.O. Obajimi1, O.O Lawal1, and A. Adeniyi2

  1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
  2. Senior Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Abstract

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on endoscopic services in a low resource economy is formidable. With the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), there has been genuine concerns about the risk of transmission during gynaecological endoscopy via the diffusion of contaminated aerosols generated from CO2 leakage and smoke created by energy devices. A pragmatic step in mitigating transmission at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, resulted in the closure of the Endoscopic unit for 3 months whilst deploying increased hygienic methods coupled with social distancing. This however had its unintended consequences of delay and increased backlog of cases aside the economic losses. Developing a unit-based policy/protocol in response to any future unforeseen occurrence should take front stage in the planning and administration of the unit. Adopting global best practices and guidelines from researched evidence is not only imperative but desirable especially in the context of limited resources.

Correspondence:

Dr. G.O. Obajimi
Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
University College Hospital,
Ibadan
Email: gbolahanobajimi@gmail.com

BACKGROUND

In response to the global emergence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), there has been concerns over the possibility of transmission of the virus to the surgical team and other theatre staff via inhalation of aerosols during laparoscopy.1 The need to ensure safety of all theatre staff became imperative with the global rising incidence, lack of vaccination and possible cure.

The COVID-19 disease which emerged from China in the last quarter of 2019 was designated a pandemic by the World Health Organization on the 11th of March 2020 and has a current distribution across 200 countries.2 The rising incidence has been attributed to a large reservoir of undocumented infections leading to rapid diffusion of the disease3. Various studies have demonstrated the ability of aerosols generated during laparoscopy to transmit whole cells4,5 especially with increasing pneumoperitoneum. 6 The risk of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 via blood and stool is also an issue of great concern necessitating caution during endoscopy7. Furthermore, the plausibility of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via fomite and aerosol has been documented.8

The need to protect both physician and patient became the guiding principle of the COVID-19 era resulting in the development of guidelines by various professional bodies across the globe. The Association of Gynaecological Endoscopy Surgeons of Nigeria (AGES) opined in their guidelines that all elective gynaecological endoscopic procedures should be postponed till the end of the pandemic, due to the paucity of evidence available to advise on best practices during the pandemic.9 They further suggested that emergency gynaecological procedures should be performed via open surgeries rather than laparoscopy or hysteroscopy. AGES, however, impressed the need for the deployment of full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and observation of all standard precautions when gynaecological endoscopy is considered. The importance of the ethical principle Primum non nocere (First do no harm) should be given the greatest consideration during this period of uncertainty and arguments have shifted in favor of open surgery as against minimal access surgery. This study sought to examine the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on out-patient endoscopic services rendered to infertile women presenting to the Assisted Conception Unit of the Hospital.

TRENDS IN GYNAECOLOGICAL ENDOSCOPY
Minimal access surgery at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, began with the introduction of minilaparotomy for tubal sterilization in September, 197510. It provided a quick and safe out-patient procedure conducted under local anesthesia. Over the years, the unit has been transformed into a gynaecological endoscopic unit with facilities for outpatient laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. Procedures carried out include a wide range of services aimed at optimizing infertility management.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gynaecological endoscopic unit was shut down for 3 months beginning on the 1st of April 2020 till the 30th of June 2020. Skeletal services resumed in July 2020 and have remained so till this publication. Prior to the pandemic, an average of 24 endoscopic procedures were performed monthly with a preponderance of diagnostic laparoscopy for tubal patency evaluation.