Volume-8, Issue-10, October 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Scheduling surgeries and management of surgical emergencies have been revolutionized by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to determine the optimum timing of elective surgery for patients after COVID-19 infection in order to operate the deserving patients and avoid future burden on the health care facility and staff. 

Material and Methods: A total of 636 patients were included in this prospective cohort study, which was conducted at General Surgical Department, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from January to December 2021. The cohort included 162 patients in the per0-COVID-19, 202 patients in the early post COVID-19 and 272 patients in the late post COVID-19 period. 

Results: The primary outcome measure was status of post-operative complications and 30-day postoperative mortality in patients stratified over period of post-operative infection. Majority of patients were males (58%) with oncological indicators (16.67%) as the major reasons and Cholecystectomy (17%) was the major surgery. Similarly, diabetes was the major comorbodity (13%) noted in the cohort. The period before surgery significantly affected the outcome and minimum post-operative complications were noted in the late post COVID-19 group. Respiratory system complications, oxygen therapy and pneumonia were significantly more in the peri-COVID-19 group. Consequently, maximum days of hospitalization (7) and 30 days post operative mortality (9.2%) was noted in the peri COVID-19 group. 

Conclusion: It is concluded from this study to delay the surgery to more than 7 weeks after COVID-19 infection, where possible.

Keywords: Corona, Pulmonary Disease, Surgery, Transmission, Virus.

References

Keywords: Corona, Pulmonary Disease, Surgery, Transmission, Virus.