Can patients with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection safely undergo elective surgery?

James C Glasbey; Thomas D Dobbs; Tom E F Abbott

doi:10.1016/j.bja.2022.03.003

Can patients with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection safely undergo elective surgery?

Br J Anaesth. 2022 Jun;128(6):909-911. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2022.03.003. Epub 2022 Mar 10.

Authors

James C Glasbey¹, Thomas D Dobbs², Tom E F Abbott³

Affiliations

¹ NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery, Institute of Translational Medicine, Birmingham, UK.
² Reconstructive Surgery and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Institute of Life Sciences, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, UK; Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK.
³ Critical Care and Perioperative Medicine Research Group, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. Electronic address: t.abbott@qmul.ac.uk.

Abstract

Current or recent infection with SARS-CoV-2 increases the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Consensus guidelines recommend delaying elective major surgery after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection for 7 or 8 weeks. However, because of the growing backlog of untreated surgical disease and the potential risks of delaying surgery, surgical services may be under pressure to reduce this period. Here, we discuss the risks and benefits of delaying surgery for patients with current or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection in the context of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the limited evidence supporting delays to surgery, and the need for more research in this area.

Keywords: COVID-19; elective surgery; outcomes; patient safety; perioperative medicine.

Publication types

Editorial

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Consensus
Elective Surgical Procedures
Humans
Pandemics / prevention & control
SARS-CoV-2