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

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

James C Glasbey  1 , Thomas D Dobbs  2 , Tom E F Abbott  3
Affiliations
Editorial

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

James C Glasbey et al. Br J Anaesth. 2022 Jun.

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations of interest TEFA is social media editor of the British Journal of Anaesthesia; has received funding from the National Institute for Health Research, Barts Charity, and the National Institute of Academic Anaesthesia; and has performed consultancy work for MSD. TDD is funded by the Welsh Clinical Academic Training Fellowship. All authors have contributed to, or undertaken leadership roles within, the COVIDSurg Collaborative. There are no other conflicts of interest to declare.

References

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