The Greek E-Journal of Perioperative Medicine
Published September 3, 2026 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Brief review of surgical emergencies in emergency department in a secondary urban hospital: focus on the years after COVID-19.

Description

During the COVID-19 pandemic, surgical emergencies visits in emergency department recorded a global decrease. We conducted a retrospective study to examine the surgical emergencies visits in an urban secondary hospital in Northern Greece, especially the years after the pandemic. Total emergency department visits (200426) from 01/01/2018- 30/06/2026 were analysed, 16.47% of which were general surgery emergencies. A 40% decrease was noted in the years during the COVID-19 pandemic, even though the hospital worked as COVID-19 reference centre only several months. During 2023-2025, there is a steady increase in the visits, with the most common reason being trauma. Mean patient age remain steady throughout the years (56 years- old), while the sex difference (more men) tends to decrease. A small part of the all visits needed an emergency surgery. COVID- 19 had a great effect on surgical emergency department visits. Greater analyses of the type, characteristics and variation of the patients appearing as surgical emergencies are needed to better evaluate and, ultimately, reform the provided health services.

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Additional details

Dates

Submitted
2026-06-08
Accepted
2026-06-26

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