Unveiling evolving surgical landscape amidst the pandemic: a comprehensive analysis

he global healthcare landscape underwent significant ransformations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, arked by resource constraints and the deferment of elecive surgeries to alleviate strain on healthcare systems. The eld of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery also experienced these hifts, prompting the need to comprehend patient profiles o inform preventive measures and planning strategies. A etrospective examination, approved by the research ethics ommittee under Protocol n 5,875,699, delved into medial records of patients undergoing facial trauma surgeries t a prominent Minas Gerais hospital between January 2018 nd December 2021. The study scrutinized surgical proceures and their underlying determinants across two distinct pochs: the pre-pandemic and pandemic eras. Interestingly, the pandemic triggered a slight reduction in he average age of patients undergoing facial trauma surgries. Male patients remained dominant in both periods, lbeit with a minor decline during the pandemic. Surprisngly, the pandemic prompted an increased reliance on he public healthcare system (Unified Health System), jux-

The global healthcare landscape underwent significant transformations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, marked by resource constraints and the deferment of elective surgeries to alleviate strain on healthcare systems.The field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery also experienced these shifts, prompting the need to comprehend patient profiles to inform preventive measures and planning strategies.A retrospective examination, approved by the research ethics committee under Protocol n o 5,875,699, delved into medical records of patients undergoing facial trauma surgeries at a prominent Minas Gerais hospital between January 2018 and December 2021.The study scrutinized surgical procedures and their underlying determinants across two distinct epochs: the pre-pandemic and pandemic eras.

Table 1
Characteristics of the patients included in the study.

Table 2
Difference between the types of accidents in the pre-and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Table 3
Difference between the types of fracture in the pre-and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Table 4
Difference between the need to use board Orthosis, Prothesis and Special Materials in the pre-and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Comparison with study of Pagotto et al.1highlighted that emergency trauma services were relatively less affected by the pandemic, although elective procedures' suspension and pandemic-induced psychological effects on surgeons were prevalent across specialties.This underscores the necessity for comprehensive strategies to address both immediate and long-term impacts of the pandemic on surgical training and patient care.Despite limitations like its retrospective nature and focus on a single hospital, our study contributes significant insights into the intricate interplay between the COVID-19 pandemic, patient demographics, causal factors, and surgical practices within Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.Amidst the ongoing pandemic and future healthcare challenges, a deeper understanding of these dynamics remains pivotal for informed adaptations, ensuring the continuity of highquality patient care.Faculdade de Odontologia São Leopoldo Mandic, Departamento de Cirurgia Oral e Maxilofacial, Campinas, SP, Brazil b Universidade de Campinas (UNICAMP), Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP) e Programa de Pós-Graduac ¸ão em Biologia Oral, Departamento de Diagnóstico Oral, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil