Specifics of the perioperative management of the patients undergoing surgery for malignant neoplasms during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: The worse prognosis in cancer patients with COVID-19 infection in the context of the pandemic, compared to that in the general population, poses new challenges to ensure the perioperative safety.Aim: To reduce the risk of infection for cancer patients in the perioperative period and to prevent severe COVID-19.Materials and methods: During two months of the COVID-19 (from March to April 2020), we performed 158 surgical interventions: 49 for breast cancer, 31 for lung cancer (videothoracoscopic segmental and lobar resections), 12 for stomach cancer (8 distal and 1 proximal laparoscopic subtotal gastric resections, 3 gastrectomies), 16 laparoscopic resections for colorectal cancer, 29 resections with a reconstructive plastic for malignant skin tumors, 21 palliative and diagnostic operations (diagnostic thoracoscopy and laparoscopy, laparoscopic colostomy).Results: Preventive administration during preparation for surgery (interferon-al-pha2b and low molecular weight heparins) and for suspected infection (antibiotics, low molecular weight heparins and dexamethasone 12 mg/day intravenously) allowed for lower rates of the new coronavirus infection (1.3%) and its severe cases (0%) during surgical treatment of malignant tumors.Conclusion: Surgical treatment of cancer patients in the context of a new coronavirus infection pandemic should be carried out with strict adherence to anti-epidemic measures.