The impact of COVID-19 pandemics on dermatologic surgery: real-life data from the Italian Red-Zone

Background The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging healthcare systems worldwide. Dermatology had to re-prioritize visits, guarantee urgent care, and ensure continuity for chronic patients. Objectives To evaluate the COVID-19 impact on dermatologic surgery outpatient management. Material and methods In this real-life retrospective observational study, we evaluated both major and minor outpatient surgeries (MaOS and MiOS) performance in 2020, before and during the first month of lockdown declaration, in a primary referral center in Northern Italy. During the lockdown, all lifesaving and cancer surgery, (approximately 80% of our usual activities), were continued. Data from 2020 were compared with the 2019 corresponding periods to assess the real-life impact of COVID-19 in dermatologic surgical activities. Results From January 1st to April 3rd, 2020 we performed 769 interventions, compared to 908 over the corresponding 2019 period. After the lockdown, scheduled surgeries were reduced by 14.8%; overall performed ones displayed a reduction of 46.5% (51.6% MaOS, 44.2% MiOS). 52.9% and 12.5% procedures were canceled due to patients' renunciation and due to confirmed/suspected COVID-19, respectively. Conclusions While reduced in number, dermatologic surgeries, similarly to other surgical specialties, remained operative to provide oncological and/or life-saving procedures.