Abstract
This study is aimed at evaluating the results of the universal preoperative screening for COVID-19 in gynecologic cases operated on during its outbreak in a tertiary care hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. A retrospective descriptive study was done on all patients who underwent elective or emergency gynecologic surgeries during the pandemic period in Thailand (April 15 to June 5, 2020). The COVID-19 screening results by symptom-based screening, risk-based screening, and RT-PCR for COVID-19 were collected from the electronic medical records. Among 129 patients who underwent gynecologic surgeries, none had a positive RT-PCR for COVID-19. Symptom-based screening found no patients with positive symptoms for COVID-19. Risk-based screening found 4 patients (3.1%) who were in contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4 patients (3.1%) who were healthcare personnel. In conclusion, routine preoperative RT-PCR for COVID-19 may need to be reconsidered among asymptomatic individuals in a low-prevalence country during the well-controlled COVID-19 situation. Larger studies are required to ascertain the benefit of universal preoperative COVID-19 testing.
Highlights
COVID-19, a disease caused by a novel coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), has been identified as the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Wuhan, China, since the end of 2019
Most screening methods are based on symptoms, history of contacting suspicious cases, RT-PCR for COVID-19, serologic test, or preoperative computed tomography (CT) of the chest [4,5,6,7]
Risk-based screening, assessed by a questionnaire, found 4 patients (3.1%) who came in contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases and another 4 patients (3.1%) that were healthcare personnel who were considered high-risk contact for COVID-19 cases
Summary
COVID-19, a disease caused by a novel coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), has been identified as the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Wuhan, China, since the end of 2019. The infection is less fatal than the previous outbreaks such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) or MERS (Middle-East respiratory syndrome), it seems to be highly contagious compared to other diseases including influenza [3]. In performing surgery during the COVID-19 outbreak period, special considerations must be made to prevent transmission to both patients and surgical teams as well as to prevent performing the procedures in asymptomatic patients who are more vulnerable to postoperative morbidity and mortality. Most screening methods are based on symptoms, history of contacting suspicious cases, RT-PCR for COVID-19, serologic test, or preoperative computed tomography (CT) of the chest [4,5,6,7]. Bronchoscopy is not recommended due to the possibility of aerosol generation
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