Peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30-day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30-day mortality in patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4-1.5). In patients with a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery within 0-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks and 5-6 weeks of the diagnosis (odds ratio (95%CI) 4.1 (3.3-4.8), 3.9 (2.6-5.1) and 3.6 (2.0-5.2), respectively). Surgery performed ≥ 7 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was associated with a similar mortality risk to baseline (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.5 (0.9-2.1)). After a ≥ 7 week delay in undertaking surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients with ongoing symptoms had a higher mortality than patients whose symptoms had resolved or who had been asymptomatic (6.0% (95%CI 3.2-8.7) vs. 2.4% (95%CI 1.4-3.4) vs. 1.3% (95%CI 0.6-2.0), respectively). Where possible, surgery should be delayed for at least 7 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with ongoing symptoms ≥ 7 weeks from diagnosis may benefit from further delay.

SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients. Since surgical patients are already at higher risk of venous thromboembolism than general populations, this study aimed to determine if patients with peri-operative or prior SARS-CoV-2 were at further increased risk of venous thromboembolism. We conducted a planned sub-study and analysis from an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of elective and emergency patients undergoing surgery during October 2020. Patients from all surgical specialties were included. The primary outcome measure was venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis) within 30 days of surgery. SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was defined as peri-operative (7 days before to 30 days after surgery); recent (1-6 weeks before surgery); previous (≥7 weeks before surgery); or none. Information on prophylaxis regimens or pre-operative anti-coagulation for baseline comorbidities was not available. Postoperative venous thromboembolism rate was 0.5% (666/123,591) in patients without SARS-CoV-2; 2.2% (50/2317) in patients with peri-operative SARS-CoV-2; 1.6% (15/953) in patients with recent SARS-CoV-2; and 1.0% (11/1148) in patients with previous SARS-CoV-2. After adjustment for confounding factors, patients with peri-operative (adjusted odds ratio 1.5 (95%CI 1.1-2.0)) and recent SARS-CoV-2 (1.9 (95%CI 1.2-3.3)) remained at higher risk of venous thromboembolism, with a borderline finding in previous SARS-CoV-2 (1.7 (95%CI 0.9-3.0)). Overall, venous thromboembolism was independently associated with 30-day mortality ). In patients with SARS-CoV-2, mortality without venous thromboembolism was 7.4% (319/4342) and with venous thromboembolism was 40.8% (31/76). Patients undergoing surgery with peri-operative or recent SARS-CoV-2 appear to be at increased risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism compared with patients with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Optimal venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and treatment are unknown in this cohort of patients, and these data should be interpreted accordingly.

The diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene is essentially clinical. Clinical features include sudden onset of genital or perineal pain and swelling, fever and prostration with progression to tissue necrosis with purulent discharge, crepitus or fluctuation and septic shock [2, 5]. Imaging studies such as plain abdominal x-ray, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be helpful in early diagnosis or atypical presentations and in evaluating the extent of the disease by revealing thickening of the scrotal wall and presence of gas in subcutaneous tissue [1, 3, 5]. CT is the most specific imaging study for diagnosis and can also aid in preoperative planning and investigation of the underlying causes [1, 3]. Bacterial culture often isolates multiple organisms, including anaerobes and aerobes [1, 2, 3]. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in the management of Fournier's gangrene, with intensive

Primários (CSP) e em particular a Medicina Geral e Familiar (MGF) são a porta de entrada no Serviço Nacional de Saúde e o que acontece neles deve ser estudado. Há pouco conhecimento sobre os motivos que levam as pessoas a procurar o seu médico de família (MF), o que pode conduzir a uma má abordagem e compreensão dos conceitos de prevenção, promoção e risco. 1 Em muitos países há falta de informação sobre os motivos que levam os utentes a dirigir--se aos CSP e em Portugal verifica-se o mesmo desconhecimento. Os registos informáticos são fundamentais em qualquer sistema de saúde 2 e em MGF podem ser utilizados não só para avaliar o trabalho dos clíni-

Introduction: Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare T-cell neoplasm that is predominantly associated with the use of textured implants. Recently, several countries have tried to clarify their epidemiological profile of BIA-ALCL. This study aims to estimate the number of cases of BIA-ALCL in Portugal and to describe the pattern of use of breast implants at a national level.Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 57 healthcare institutions - 29 public hospitals and 28 private institutions. Each department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery was asked to provide information concerning the main manufacturer(s) and respective device texture of the breast implants used, and to report the number of registered cases of BIA-ALCL.Results: In our study sample, the response rate was 58%. In our sample, most hospitals reported using textured breast implants from Mentor (45.45%), Allergan (42.42%) and Polytech (39.39%). Only one private institution referred using smooth-coated implants from Mentor and Motiva. Despite several hospitals reporting late-onset seromas, there was only one confirmed case of BIA-ALCL after proper investigation with immunohistochemistry and histological procedures.Discussion: BIA-ALCL may represent a shift for surgeons regarding selection of implant type. Smooth-coated implants or autologous tissue represent adequate alternatives that could surpass the risks associated with textured devices.Conclusion: In the future, the creation of a national patient registry and proper recognition of BIA-ALCL by plastic surgeons could be useful tools to clarify the impact of the disease nationally and to mitigate potential risk factors.