Surgical Outcomes During COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Oncology
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, originating in late 2019, posed significant risks to surgical patients.
• Patients undergoing surgical procedures are considered a vulnerable population during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the characteristics and outcomes of surgical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To assess the impact of COVID-19 infection on postoperative complications and mortality in surgical patients.

Main Methods:

• An observational study was conducted using a prospectively collected database of general and surgical oncology procedures.
• COVID-19 detection involved polymerase chain reaction swabs and chest computed tomography.
• Primary endpoints included 30-day surgical mortality and complications, with a focus on in-hospital COVID-19 infection.

Main Results:

• Of 193 patients, 11.3% tested positive for COVID-19.
• COVID-19 positive patients had significantly higher postoperative morbidity (81.3% vs. 37.4%) and mortality (27.3% vs. 5.8%).
• Factors associated with COVID-19 infection included preoperative sepsis and renal failure.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates are substantially elevated in surgical patients who contract COVID-19.
• Surgical procedures require careful consideration and planning to minimize risks during the pandemic.