Re: Al-Muharraqi MA. Testing recommendation for COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients planned for surgery – continuing the service and ‘suppressing’ the pandemic. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020 Apr 13 pii: S0266-4356(20)30164-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2020.04.014. [Epub ahead of print]

A recent publication by M.A. Al-Muharraqi recommends a COVID-19 testing protocol which involves both PCR and antibody testing for planned crucial head and neck surgical patients.1 Using the flowchart, surgery would proceed with the exception of where a positive PCR result is obtained in which case the patient would be allowed to recover from the illness and surgery postponed. We solely implemented a PCR testing strategy for all pre-operative elective surgical patients in our institution on 31st March.
Source: The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research