*2.3. Statistical Analysis*

To compare both baseline patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes between the pre- and post-COVID cohorts, Pearson chi-square tests were used for categorical variables and independent samples T-tests were used for continuous variables. Continuous variables were presented in terms of the mean and standard deviation (SD), and categorical variables were reported with frequencies and percentages. Statistical tests were 2-sided with *p* < 0.05 denoting statistical significance.
