Surgical complications in COVID-19 patients in the setting of moderate to severe disease
Milena Gulinac, Ivan Novakov, Svetozar Antović, Tsvetelina Velikova
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a considerable impact on the work of physicians and surgeons. The connection between the patient and the surgeon cannot be replaced by telemedicine. For example, the surgical staff faces more serious difficulties compared to non-surgical specialists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary concerns include the safest solutions for protecting healthcare staff and patients and the ability to provide adequate surgical care. Additionally, the adverse effects of any surgery delays and the financial consequences complicate the picture. Therefore, patients' admission during the COVID-19 pandemic should be taken into consideration, as well as preoperative measures. The COVID-19 situation brings particular risk to patients during surgery, where preoperative morbidity and mortality rise in either asymptomatic or symptomatic COVID-19 patients. This review discusses the recent factors associated with surgical complications, mortality rates, outcomes, and experience in COVID-19 surgical patients.