Consensus on peri-operative surgical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: an appraisal of the literature

The coronavirus disease-2019 [COVID-19] pandemic is an ongoing pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]. Although COVID- 19 pandemic is not a direct surgical problem, its impact on the surgical units has been substantial. Many operations have been cancelled or deferred due to the risk of disease spread and staff shortages. Operating theatres are identified as areas of the high risk of disease transmission due to aerosol generation during the surgical procedures and prolonged patient contact. Resource limitations, including lack of personal protective equipment [PPE] and limited availability of testing, continue to expose the surgical community to COVID-19. In this review, evidence and consensus guidelines on surgical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic are summarised and described. Immediate action is deemed essential to ensure the unhindered provision of surgical care while optimizing the use of limited resources and ensuring staff safety.