The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Effect on Public Sentiments Regarding Elective Plastic Surgery in the United States

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) has challenged the US's healthcare systems to adapt and innovate on multiple fronts. As the course of the COVID-19 pandemic changes, we explore the US public sentiments on resuming previously postponed elective plastic surgery procedures.

A prospective national survey of one thousand US adults was conducted to study public perception of elective plastic surgery procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Binomial logarithmic multivariable regression modeling was employed to study the response data.

Nine hundred seventy-three participants were included in study. The majority (86.6%) believed elective plastic surgery should continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most (79.6%) would not delay obtaining plastic surgery more than 6 months. Participants expressed concerns of contracting COVID-19 at elective surgery centers (67.5%) or at hospitals (68.5%). Participants who reside in the Midwest (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, P < 0.05) and participants between the ages of 41 and 60 years old (OR 2.8, P < 0.03) were more likely to resume elective plastic surgery. Participants who had undergone a COVID-19 test (OR 0.13, P < 0.04), contracted the COVID-19 infection (OR 0.26, P < 0.03), or were older than 60 years (OR 0.41, P < 0.02) were less likely to resume elective plastic surgery.

The majority of the US adult participants (1) agree with resuming elective plastic surgery services, (2) but harbor some concerns of contracting COVID-19 during their procedures, and (3) agree with the majority of safety protocols taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.