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.

BACKGROUND:Venous thromboembolism is a wellestablished preventable complication after colectomy. Specific guidance on venous thromboembolism prevention after colectomy for benign disease is limited. OBJECTIVE:This meta-analysis aimed to quantify the venous thromboembolism risk after benign colorectal resection and determine its variability.DATA SOURCES: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42021265438), Embase, MEDLINE, and 4 other registered medical literature databases were searched from the database inception to June 21, 2021.STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials and large population-based database cohort studies reporting 30-day and 90-day venous thromboembolism rates after benign colorectal resection in patients aged ≥18 years. Exclusion criteria: patients undergoing colorectal cancer or completely endoscopic surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Thirty-and 90-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates per 1000 person-years after benign colorectal surgery. RESULTS:Seventeen studies were eligible for metaanalysis reporting on 250,170 patients. Pooled 30-day and 90-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates after benign colorectal resection were 284 (95% CI, 224-360) and 84 (95% CI, 33-218) per 1000 person-years. Stratified by admission type, 30-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates per 1000 person-years were 532 (95% CI, 447-664) for emergency resections and 213 (95% CI, 100-453) for elective colorectal resections. Thirtyday venous thromboembolism incidence rates per 1000 person-years after colectomy were 485 (95% CI, 411-573) for patients with ulcerative colitis, 228 (95% CI, 181-288) for patients with Crohn's disease, and 208 (95% CI, 152-288) for patients with diverticulitis.LIMITATIONS: High degree of heterogeneity was observed within most meta-analyses attributable to large cohorts minimizing within-study variance.CONCLUSIONS: Venous thromboembolism rates remain high up to 90 days after colectomy and vary by indication for surgery. Emergency resections compared to elective benign resections have higher rates of postoperative venous thromboembolism. Further studies reporting venous thromboembolism rates by type of benign Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text, and links to the digital files are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal's website (www.dcrjournal.com).

Introduction Alcohol is a modifiable risk factor in patients having planned surgery and problematic drinking is an increasing problem. To date, no systematic review solely focuses on outcomes following gastrointestinal surgery and their relationship with alcohol use. This study aimed to summarize the evidence of the association between preoperative alcohol consumption and postoperative complications in gastrointestinal surgeries. Methods Comprehensive searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was undertaken to identify original studies investigating the association between preoperative alcohol consumption and postoperative complications occurring within 30 days of surgery. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality risk and secondary outcomes included postoperative complications such as surgical site infections and risk of anastomotic leak. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a random effects model. Results In total, 3182 reports were identified and reviewed for eligibility, and data was extracted from 26 studies that met inclusion criteria. 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Clearly defined high preoperative alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality (Odds ratio (OR)=1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.07–2.28). High alcohol intake was also associated with an increased risk of anastomotic leak following colorectal surgery (OR 2.17 (95% CI: 1.74–2.72) and an increase in risk of surgical site infections (OR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.15- 1.53). Conclusion Preoperative alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality, risk of anastomotic leakage and surgical site infections. Preoperative modulation of alcohol intake may influence post-operative complications after gastrointestinal surgery.