Risk of postop complications in COVID-19 patients after major elective surgery

Editor's Note

This study led by researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, finds that major elective surgery performed 0 to 4 weeks after COVID-19 infection is linked to an increased risk of postoperative complications.

Of 5,479 patients analyzed, those who had surgery 0 to 4 weeks after COVID-19 infection had an elevated risk of developing postoperative pneumonia, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, and sepsis.

Patients who had surgery 4 to 8 weeks after COVID-19 had an increased risk of developing postoperative pneumonia.

Those who had surgery 8 weeks or more after COVID-19 infection did not have an increased risk of postoperative complications.