Impact of COVID-19 infection during the postoperative period in patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery: a retrospective study

• Published in: Annals of surgical treatment and research 2024, 106(3), , pp.133-139
• Main Authors: Ryu, Hyo Seon, Jung, Se Hoon, Cho, Eun Hae, Choo, Jeong Min, Kim, Ji-Seon, Baek, Se-Jin, Kim, Jin, Kwak, Jung-Myun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original; 일반외과학
• ISSN: 2288-6575; 2288-6796
• DOI: 10.4174/astr.2024.106.3.133

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to significant global casualties. This study examines the postoperative impact of COVID-19 on patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery, considering their heightened vulnerability to infections and increased morbidity and mortality risk. This retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary center and patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery between January 2022 and February 2023 were included. Postoperative COVID-19 infection was defined as the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA by RT-PCR within 14 days after surgery. Propensity score matching was performed including age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiology physical status classification, and emergency operation between the COVID-19-negative (-) and -positive (+) groups. Following 1:2 propensity score matching, 21 COVID-19(+) and 42 COVID-19(-) patients were included in the study. In the COVID-19(+) group, the postoperative complication rate was significantly higher (52.4% 23.8%, P = 0.023). Mechanical ventilator requirement, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and readmission rate did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. The median length of ICU (19 days 4 days, P < 0.001) and hospital stay (18 8 days, P = 0.015) were significantly longer in the COVID-19(+) group. Patients with COVID-19 had a 2.4 times higher relative risk (RR) of major complications than patients without COVID-19 (RR, 2.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.254-4.467; P = 0.015). COVID-19 infection during the postoperative period in gastrointestinal surgery may have adverse outcomes which may increase the risk of major complications. Preoperative COVID-19 screening and protocols for COVID-19 prevention in surgical patients should be maintained.