Multi‐institutional Analysis of Endoscopic Sellar Surgical Volumes During the COVID‐19 Pandemic.

Objective: We sought to quantify trends in operative volumes and complications of endoscopic sellar surgery before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic onset. Study Design: We performed a retrospective analysis. Setting: TriNetX database analysis. Methods: All adults undergoing neuroendoscopy for resection of pituitary tumor (Current Procedural Terminology code 62165) with diagnosis of benign/malignant neoplasm of pituitary gland (D35.2/C75.1) or benign/malignant neoplasm of craniopharyngeal duct (D35.3/C75.2) were included using the TriNetX database for 2 years before (pre‐COVID group) and 2 years after (post‐COVID group) February 17, 2020. Results: A total of 1238 patients in the pre‐COVID group and 1186 patients in the post‐COVID group were compared. Age, gender, and race were statistically similar between the groups (P >.05). Surgical volume decreased by 6% in the post‐COVID group. In 2020 Q2, operative volume decreased by 19%, and in 2021 Q4 (peak COVID‐19 caseload in the United States), operative volumes decreased by 29% compared to 2 years prior. Postoperative complications including meningitis (P =.49), cerebrospinal fluid leak (P =.36), visual field deficits (P =.07), postoperative pneumonia or respiratory failure (P =.42), and 30‐day readmission rates (P =.89) were similar between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Overall, endoscopic sellar surgery may continue to fluctuate with increased COVID‐19 outbreaks. Patient outcomes do not appear to be worsened by decreased operative volumes or delays in nonurgent surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]