The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a substantial impact on the provision of medical healthcare. Due to an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) transmission, elective surgical treatment has been suspended in many centers. The effects of COVID-19 in the early post-operative period after esophagectomy remains unknown. In this report, we present three cases of patients diagnosed with esophago-gastric junction cancer who were scheduled for elective esophagectomy with a curative intention during second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in a single high-volume tertiary center. Despite all available safety measures, one of the patients developed COVID-19 pneumonia on post-operative day two, leading to an impaired respiratory function and increased pleural fluid collection from the chest tube, resulting in a prolonged time of hospital stay. Finding a good balance between the COVID-19-related perioperative risks and consequences of delaying surgical treatment in patients diagnosed with esophago-gastric cancer is a challenge. In order to achieve the best possible outcome, care must be taken to ensure availability of necessary treatment options and to reduce the risk of SARS-Cov-2 transmission perioperatively.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Pneumonia, gastro-esophageal junction cancer, esophagectomy, 【초록키워드】 Treatment, coronavirus disease, coronavirus, pandemic, Respiratory function, COVID-19 pandemic, Cancer, risk, Transmission, surgical, outcome, Measures, healthcare, Chest, Patient, second wave, Intention, Care, Hospital stay, acute respiratory syndrome, increased risk, finding, Effect, consequence, resulting, the patient, diagnosed, reduce, curative, 【제목키워드】 surgery, Wave, second, Performing, junction, Day,