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. 2023 Dec;47(12):2958-2965.
doi: 10.1007/s00268-023-07222-y. Epub 2023 Oct 24.

Lessons Learned in Elective Surgeries After 6 Pandemic Waves of SARS-CoV-2. A Single European Center Experience

Alejandra García-Botella  1   2 , Sofía De la Serna Esteban  3   4 , Leyre López-Antoñanzas  3 , Rocío Avellana-Moreno  3 , Jana Dziakova  3   4 , Oscar Cano Valderrama  5 , Esteban Martín-Antona  3 , Irene Serrano-García  6 , Antonio José Torres García  3   4
Affiliations

Lessons Learned in Elective Surgeries After 6 Pandemic Waves of SARS-CoV-2. A Single European Center Experience

Alejandra García-Botella et al. World J Surg. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Background: The reported high surgical morbidity and mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 prompted preoperative screening and modification of surgical protocols. Although vaccination and treatment of COVID-19 have resulted in lower hospitalization rates and infection severity, publications on postoperative results have not been updated. The aim of the study was to analyze the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery in two periods with high incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, before and after vaccination.

Materials and methods: This is a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing surgery in two periods: March-June 2020 (Group2020) and December 2021-February 2022 (Group2022) (after massive vaccination).

Results: In total, 618 patients who underwent surgery were included in the analysis (Group2020: 343 vs. Group2022: 275). Significantly more oncological procedures were performed in Group2020, and there were no differences in postoperative complications. Nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 4 patients in Group2020 and 1 patient in Group2022. In Group 2022, 70 patients (25.4%) had COVID-19 prior to surgery, and 68 (97.1%) were vaccinated. Comparative analysis between patients with past COVID-19 and those without showed no difference in postoperative morbidity and mortality. According to the time elapsed between SARS-CoV-2 infection and surgery (≤ 7 or > 7 weeks), comparative analysis showed no significant differences.

Conclusion: The establishment of preoperative screening protocols for SARS-CoV-2 infection results in a low incidence of nosocomial infection and optimal postoperative outcomes. Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated patients was not associated with increased postoperative complications, even in shorter periods after infection. In surgical patients, individualized preoperative evaluation after SARS-CoV-2 infection may be more important than strict time limitation.

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