Anesthesia and the "post-COVID syndrome": Perioperative considerations for patients with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

Anaesthetic and Surgical Considerations in Post COVID-19 Patients Requiring Head and Neck Surgery

As the cases of COVID-19 have declined, the number of patients who have recovered from the dreaded disease is reporting for elective or emergency surgeries. Surgical planning in patients who have recovered from COVD-19 requires special considerations because of the morbidity and mortality associated with the infection and its devastating after-effects. There is a distinct paucity of literature on guidelines and protocols to follow in the perioperative management of these patients. With the help of experience gained over the past 2 years of the 'COVID-19 era', we have been able to establish important recommendations, guidelines and useful protocols during perioperative management of COVID-recovered patients. These protocols include important anesthetic and surgical considerations, which are both practical as well as implementable and are also in cognizance with government-laid down advisories. Although SARS-CoV-2 infection primarily affects the pulmonary and cardiac systems, it has the potential for serious and severely affect multiple organs and various other body systems in erratic and unpredictable manner. All of these factors can have significant implications that make the perioperative management of post-COVID-19 patients, difficult and challenging. Considering the far-reaching and long-lasting effects of this infection on the human body, the protocols and recommendations presented in this article can serve as a valuable guide for clinicians to effectively manage the surgical patient and help reduce perioperative complications attributable to COVID-19 infection.

Outcomes of elective cancer surgery in COVID‐19 survivors: An observational study

Background and Objectives

Guidelines recommend deferral of elective surgery after COVID‐19. Delays in cancer surgeries may affect outcomes. We examined perioperative outcomes of elective cancer surgery in COVID‐19 survivors. The primary objective was 30‐day all‐cause postoperative mortality. The secondary objectives were 30‐day morbidity, and its association with COVID‐19 severity, and duration between COVID‐19 and surgery.

Methods

We collected data on age, gender, comorbidities, COVID‐19 severity, preoperative investigations, surgery performed, and intra and postoperative outcomes in COVID‐19 survivors who underwent elective cancer surgery at a tertiary‐referral cancer center.

Results

Three hundred and forty‐eight COVID‐19 survivors presented for elective cancer surgery. Of these, 332/348 (95%) patients had mild COVID‐19 and 311 (89%) patients underwent surgery. Among patients with repeat investigations, computerized tomography scan of the thorax showed the maximum new abnormalities (30/157, 19%). The 30‐day all‐cause mortality was 0.03% (1/311) and 30‐day morbidity was 17% (54/311). On multivariable analysis, moderate versus mild COVID‐19 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.95; 95% confidence interval  [CI]: 0.52–7.30; p = 0.32) and surgery within 7 weeks of COVID‐19 (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.33–1.11; p = 0.10) were not associated with postoperative morbidity.

Conclusions

In patients who recover from mild to moderate COVID‐19, elective cancer surgery can proceed safely even within 7 weeks. Additional preoperative tests may not be indicated in these patients.

Timing of surgery and elective perioperative management of patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection: a SIAARTI expert consensus statement

BACKGROUND

The appropriate timing of surgery and perioperative management of patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection are open issues. The purpose of this document is to support the clinical decision-making process regarding the patient with previous Sars-CoV-2 infection to undergo elective surgery. The recipients of this document are physicians, nurses, healthcare personnel, and other professionals involved in the patient's surgical process.

METHODS

The Italian Society of Anesthesia Analgesia Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI) selected 11 experts to reach a consensus on key aspects of this theme in adult and pediatric population. The methods of this process document were in accordance to the principles of rapid review of the scientific literature and modified Delphi method. The experts produced statements and supporting reasons in the form of an informative text. The overall list of statements was subjected to a vote in order to express the degree of consent.

RESULTS

Patients should not undergo elective surgery within 7 weeks of infection unless there is the risk of a negative evolution of the disease. To mitigate the risk of postsurgical mortality, a multidisciplinary approach seemed useful in addition to the use of validated algorithms to estimate the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality; the risk related to SARS-CoV-2 infection should be added. The risk of potential nosocomial contagion from a positive patients should also be considered when deciding to proceed with surgery. Most of the evidence came from previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, so the evidence should be considered indirect.

CONCLUSION

A balanced preoperative multidisciplinary risk-benefit evaluation is needed in patients with previous infection by SARS-CoV-2 for elective surgery.

Implications and effects of COVID-19 on diagnosis and management of prostate cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to uncertainty on the optimal management for prostate cancer (PCa). This narrative review aims to shed light on the optimal diagnosis and management of patients with or suspected to have PCa.

RECENT FINDINGS

Faecal-oral or aerosol transmission is possible during prostate procedures; caution must be in place when performing digital rectal examinations, transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies and prostate surgeries requiring general anaesthesia. Patients must also be triaged using preoperative polymerase chain reaction tests for COVID-19. COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), reducing the need for prostate biopsy unless when absolutely indicated, and the risk of COVID-19 spread can be reduced. Combined with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density, amongst other factors, multiparametric MRI could reduce unnecessary biopsies in patients with little chance of clinically significant PCa. Treatment of PCa should be stratified by the risk level and preferences of the patient. COVID-19 has accelerated the development of telemedicine and clinicians should utilise safe and effective teleconsultations to protect themselves and their patients.

SUMMARY

COVID-19 transmission during prostate procedures is possible. Patients with a Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) of <3 and PSA density <0.15 ng/ml/ml are deemed low-risk and are safe to undergo surveillance without MRI-targeted biopsy. Intermediate- or high-risk patients should be offered definitive treatment within four months or 30days of diagnosis to avoid compromising treatment outcomes; three-month courses of neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy can be considered when a delay of surgery is anticipated.