Eligibility for elective surgery in patients recovering from mild COVID‐19: A propensity‐matched analysis

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo study the timing of surgery after a recent Omicron variant infection, to provide a reference for policymakers, clinicians, and patients.MethodsThis single‐center propensity‐matched analysis was designed and reported according to the EQUATOR‐STROBE guidelines. Patients recovering from COVID‐19 infection were divided into three groups based on the period from disappearance of respiratory symptoms to surgery: ≤7 days, 8–14 days, and >14 days groups. Outcome measures included postoperative respiratory complications, vascular thrombosis, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and mortality.ResultsBetween August 1 and December 31, 2022, 9023 surgical procedures were performed, of which 7490 surgeries met the inclusion criteria. Propensity matching resulted in a final cohort of 227 patients recovered from COVID‐19 and 2043 SARS‐CoV‐2 negative patients. Compared with the SARS‐CoV‐2 negative group, the incidence of postoperative respiratory complications was significantly higher (15.91% vs. 6.71%, p = 0.028) only in the ≤7 days group. There were no statistically significant differences in the other 30‐day outcomes between the SARS‐CoV‐2 negative and the three COVID‐19 recovery groups.ConclusionsPatients who have recovered from mild COVID‐19 may be eligible for elective surgery at least 7 days after recovery, since they do not have an increased risk of postoperative complications or mortality within 30 days.