# Impact of The COVID-19 Pandemic on Salivary Gland-related Healthcare Interventions; A Systematic Review And Meta-analysis: -

## TL;DR

This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare interventions related to salivary gland diseases, finding no significant overall changes but some increased procedural complications.

## Contribution

The paper provides the first systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of the pandemic on salivary gland-related surgeries and treatments.

## Key findings

- The pooled odds ratio for salivary gland interventions during versus pre-COVID was not statistically significant.
- Subgroup analysis showed increased odds of wound dehiscence after parotid surgery during the pandemic.
- No significant differences were found in delayed cancer diagnosis or urgent sialendoscopy rates.

## Abstract

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has raised concerns regarding their
potential impact on perioperative outcomes. Its effect on patients
undergoing surgery for salivary
gland diseases remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis
aimed to evaluate
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on salivary gland-related healthcare
interventions, including cancer treatments, sialendoscopy procedures, and
parotid surgery outcomes.

Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed,
Embase, and Web of Science (2019–2025) for studies reporting pre- and
during-COVID data.
Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed
risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects
meta-analysis was performed to pool odds
ratios (ORs) for intervention outcomes.

Four studies (n=7,740 participants) were included. The pooled OR for salivary
gland interventions during versus pre-COVID was 1.08
(95% CI: 0.88–1.33, P=0.45), indicating no significant change, with moderate
heterogeneity
(I²=46%). Subgroup analyses revealed increased odds of wound dehiscence
post-parotid surgery (OR=4.40, 95% CI: 1.18–16.40) but no significant
differences in delayed cancer diagnosis
or urgent sialendoscopy.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly alter overall salivary gland
intervention rates or adverse events, though some procedural complications
increased non-significantly. Limited evidence underscores the need for
larger, standardized
studies. While this shows that surgeons maintained quality of practice in
this era during the
COVID-19.