Management of endocrine surgical disorders during COVID-19 pandemic: expert opinion for non-surgical options

Publication

Management of endocrine surgical disorders during COVID-19 pandemic: expert opinion for non-surgical options

Journal Paper/Review - Apr 11, 2021

Yazici Dilek, Pandev Rumen, Palazzo Fausto, Ozbas Serdar, Oruk Guzide Gonca, Mert Meral, Kuru Bekir, Koutelidakis Giannis, Kim Seokmo, Kebudi Abut, Haciyanli Mehmet, Gurleyik Gunay, Gurdal Sibel Ozkan, Gozu Hulya Ilıksu, Filiz Ali Ilker, Riss Phillip, Sabuncu Tevfik, Vriens Menno, Villar-Del-Moral Jesus, Uludag Mehmet, Ugurlu Mustafa Umit, Tunca Fatih, Tezelman Serdar, Terzioglu Tarik, Teksoz Serkan, Van Slycke Sam, Sleptsov Ilya, Senyurek Yasemin Giles, Saygili Fusun, Sakman Gurhan, Sahin Ibrahim, Erbil Yesim, Emre Ali Ugur, Almquist Martin, Alagol Faruk, Akinci Baris, Duh Quan-Yang, Mihai Radu, Vamvakidis Kyriakos, Lee Yong-Sang, Sonmez Yusuf Alper, Raffaelli Marco, Guldiken Sibel, Bayram Fahri, Erdogan Murat Faik, Makay Ozer, Sezer Atakan, Barczynski Marcin, Bayraktaroglu Taner, Dionigi Gianlorenzo, Deyneli Oguzhan, Demircan Orhan, Coombes David Scott, Clerici Thomas, Cherenko Sergii, Ceyhan Banu Ozturk, Celik Ozlem, Celik Mehmet, Canturk Zeynep, Canturk Nuh Zafer, Cakmak Guldeniz Karadeniz, Bukey Yusuf, Berber Eren, Agcaoglu Orhan

Citation

Yazici D, Pandev R, Palazzo F, Ozbas S, Oruk G, Mert M, Kuru B, Koutelidakis G, Kim S, Kebudi A, Haciyanli M, Gurleyik G, Gurdal S, Gozu H, Filiz A, Riss P, Sabuncu T, Vriens M, Villar-Del-Moral J, Uludag M, Ugurlu M, Tunca F, Tezelman S, Terzioglu T, Teksoz S, Van Slycke S, Sleptsov I, Senyurek Y, Saygili F, Sakman G, Sahin I, Erbil Y, Emre A, Almquist M, Alagol F, Akinci B, Duh Q, Mihai R, Vamvakidis K, Lee Y, Sonmez Y, Raffaelli M, Guldiken S, Bayram F, Erdogan M, Makay O, Sezer A, Barczynski M, Bayraktaroglu T, Dionigi G, Deyneli O, Demircan O, Coombes D, Clerici T, Cherenko S, Ceyhan B, Celik O, Celik M, Canturk Z, Canturk N, Cakmak G, Bukey Y, Berber E, Agcaoglu O. Management of endocrine surgical disorders during COVID-19 pandemic: expert opinion for non-surgical options. Updates Surg 2021

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Updates Surg 2021

Publication Date

Apr 11, 2021

Issn Electronic

2038-3312

Brief description/objective

PURPOSE
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented conditions for overall health care systems by restricting resources for non-COVID-19 patients. As the burden of the disease escalates, routine elective surgeries are being cancelled. The aim of this paper was to provide a guideline for management of endocrine surgical disorders during a pandemic.

METHODS
We used Delphi method with a nine-scale Likert scale on two rounds of voting involving 64 experienced eminent surgeons and endocrinologists who had the necessary experience to provide insight on endocrine disorder management. All voting was done by email using a standard questionnaire.

RESULTS
Overall, 37 recommendations were voted on. In two rounds, all recommendations reached an agreement and were either endorsed or rejected. Endorsed statements include dietary change in primary hyperparathyroidism, Cinacalcet treatment in secondary hyperparathyroidism, alpha-blocker administration for pheochromocytoma, methimazole ± β-blocker combination for Graves' disease, and follow-up for fine-needle aspiration results of thyroid nodules indicated as Bethesda 3-4 cytological results and papillary microcarcinoma.

CONCLUSION
This survey summarizes expert opinion for the management of endocrine surgical conditions during unprecedented times when access to surgical treatment is severely disrupted. The statements are not applicable in circumstances in which surgical treatment is possible.