Corona Virus Global Surgical Collaborative (CVGSC)*
An initiative sponsored by SAGES in collaboration with EAES, AEC, KSELS, and ELSA
A group of surgical leaders from affected countries have joined to discuss what they are learning during this Covid-19 Global crisis. The following is a brief summary of what they feel may be useful information to disseminate to the surgical community:
Anticoagulation and high risk of thrombosis:
Many COVID-19 patients develop a pro-thrombotic state which places them at high risk of thrombosis and significantly worsens their prognosis. A wide range of approaches have been used, from the usual prophylactic DVT regimens to full therapeutic anticoagulation. The majority of institutions place hospitalized patients in some type of prophylactic regimens as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed. In some areas of Italy, patients receive anticoagulants even when treated as outpatient. Stony Brook University has kindly shared their protocol that includes escalation of anticoagulation on the basis of D-dimer levels.
Primers on COVID-19 Deployment for Surgeons:
As expected, in high COVID areas an increasing number of surgeons find themselves on the front lines of the COVID-19 battlefield, with very little time to prepare for deployment. A primer on what to expect, how to prepare and helpful hints has been put together by international members of this CVGSC group that have been, or currently are in the front lines. The purpose of these documents is to aid those who will be, or are currently deployed.
Avoiding injury/decreasing discomfort while wearing an N95 mask:
The need to use N95 masks has been widely emphasized. However, their use for prolonged periods of times may pose a problem related to discomfort and skin related issues. The CVGSC issued a statement on April 6 regarding re-sterilization of N95 masks. We now would like to add a list of products for face protection under N95 masks that may be useful to the providers in the front line.
Participants:
Drs. Horacio Asbun (Lead), Mohammed Abu Hilal, Jaap Bonjer, Nicolas Demartines, Nader Francis, Ho-Seong Han, Davide Lomanto, Salvador Morales, Andrea Pietrabissa, Aurora Pryor, Christopher Schlachta, Patricia Sylla, Eduardo Targarona, Suthep Udomsawaengsup
Other Surgical Societies/leaders are welcome to participate in future discussions. Please contact SAGES Executive Director, Sallie Matthews at sallie@sages.org if interested in being considered for participation.
*GENERAL DISCLAIMER:
The following is intended to provide our members with information arising from the experience of our colleagues from Europe and Asia who experienced the pandemic first. While the information provided is from very reliable sources, it is NOT evidence based data, since there was no time to test its validity on scientific grounds. It is merely an attempt to share practical advice based upon prior experience and current knowledge.
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