COVID-19: clinical issues from the Japan Surgical Society

Surg Today. 2020 Aug;50(8):794-808. doi: 10.1007/s00595-020-02047-x. Epub 2020 Jul 11.

Abstract

In this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, several key issues must be addressed to ensure safe treatment and prevent rapid spread of the virus and a consequential medical crisis. Careful evaluation of a patient's condition is crucial for deciding the triage plan, based on the status of the disease and comorbidities. As functionality of the medical care system is greatly affected by the environmental situation, the treatment may differ according to the medical and infectious disease circumstances of the institution. Importantly, all medical staff must prevent nosocomial COVID-19 by minimizing the effects of aerosol spread and developing diagnostic and surgical procedures. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for COVID-19 infection, particularly in asymptomatic patients, should be encouraged as these patients are prone to postoperative respiratory failure. In this article, the Japan Surgical Society addresses the general principles of surgical treatment in relation to COVID-19 infection and advocates preventive measures against viral transmission during this unimaginable COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs); Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Personal protective equipment (PPE); Surgical triage.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Elective Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Elective Surgical Procedures / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Occupational Health*
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pandemics / statistics & numerical data
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Societies, Medical / standards
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / methods*
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / statistics & numerical data
  • Triage / methods