The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of surgical care

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought about unprecedented adaptations in healthcare management, be it at a local or global level. With so much that is not known about the disease itself, it has become manifestly clear that even less is known about how healthcare systems can contain such a disease. In this situation we are obliged as clinicians and academics to share our experiences in order to pool together vital information that will not only help to tackle the matter at hand but will also serve as a road map for future crises such as this.

With this in mind, whilst continuing to publish outstanding surgical case reports, the Journal of Surgical Case Reports (JSCR) editorial board would also like to encourage surgeons to share their knowledge and experience in treating patients who are suffering from the effects of COVID-19. We would like to invite clinicians across the world, particularly in those countries most severely affected by the pandemic, to publish their experiences. Specifically, we wish to highlight the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on performing surgery as well as clinicians’ experiences in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in operating theatres. Accompanying images and videos are highly encouraged though not a requirement.

In addition, the Journal of Surgical Case Reports will be publishing invited leading articles from international surgeons on various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the provision of surgical care.