Safe Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic

AbstractPurpose of ReviewCoronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has had an enormous impact on all aspects of healthcare, but its effect on patients needing surgery and surgeons has been disproportionate. In this review, we aim to understand the impact of the pandemic on surgical patients and teams.  We compiled the emerging data on pre-operative screening methods, vaccinations, safe-surgery pathways and surgical techniques and make recommendations for evidence-based safe-surgical pathways. We also present surgical outcomes for emergency, oncological and benign surgery in the context of the p andemic. Finally, we attempt to address the impact of the pandemic on patients, staff and surgical training and provide perspectives for the future.Recent FindingsSurgical teams have developed consensus guidelines and established research priorities and safety precautions  for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence supports that surgery in patients with a peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection carries substantial risks, but risk mitigation strategies are effective at reducing harm to staff and patients.SummarySurgery has increased risk for patients and staff, but this can be mitigated effectively, especially for elective surgery. Elective surgery can be safely performed during the COVID-19 pandemic employing the strategies discussed in this review.
Source: Current Obesity Reports - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Source Type: research