Table 2 Summary for decision-making in different pathologies during phase 2
From: A tentative guide for thoracic surgeons during COVID-19 pandemic
Pathology | What to operate | What to defer |
|---|---|---|
NSCLC | • Tumor-associated infection—compromising, but not septic (e.g., debulking for post-obstructive pneumonia) • Tumor associated with hemorrhage, not amenable to nonsurgical treatment. • Threatened airway | • As phase 1 in addition to any non-complicated NSCLC by infection or hemorrhage or airway obstruction • Alternatives as phase 1 in addition to referral to phase 1 hospitals |
Esophageal cancer | Septic or non-septic perforation only | Non-complicated by perforation cases |
Postoperative complications (hemothorax, empyema, infected mesh, dehiscence of airway, anastomotic leak with sepsis) | Hemodynamic stable or unstable patients | Minor wound infections |
Others | • All emergency cases as massive hemothorax, major airway injury, airway obstruction by inhaled foreign body or advanced tracheal stenosis, and diaphragmatic hernia with strangulation • Loculated empyema with sepsis that cannot otherwise be treated • Tension emphysematous bullae with respiratory distress • Recurrent pneumothorax with massive air leak | • Pectus surgery • Hyperhidrosis • Bronchiectasis • Tracheal resection in tracheostomized patients • Non-malignant pleural effusion • Elective bullectomy • Retained bullets with no fear of migration or embolization • Empyema that can be drained by chest tube • Pneumothorax for pleurodesis |