Safety of Surgery Among Asymptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR‐Positive Patients: A Single‐Center Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundScreening with SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR tests is recommended for all patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia, and elective surgery is deferred for positive patients. This study evaluated the outcomes of asymptomatic PCR‐positive patients who underwent general anesthesia and surgery.MethodsPatient data were collected from the hospital records of patients who underwent surgery between January 2021 and May 2022. Asymptomatic patients with a positive PCR test between 7 days before and 5 days after surgery were compared with controls. The cases were propensity score‐matched with a 1:2 ratio to the controls. All‐cause in‐hospital mortality was the primary outcome of the study.ResultsA total of 217 asymptomatic PCR‐positive patients were matched to 434 controls. In multivariate analysis, PCR‐positive test results were not associated with mortality (log(OR) (95%CIs), p; 0.86 (− 0.13, 1.9), 0.09). Age and ASA score (>3) were the most significant risk factors associated with mortality.ConclusionThis study found that surgery among asymptomatic PCR‐positive patients was not associated with increased mortality.