Risk factors associated with postop mortality in COVID-19 patients

Editor's Note

This study from the Cleveland Clinic finds that COVID-19-positive patients have a higher risk of postoperative mortality, and risk factors should be carefully evaluated before intervention.

The analysis included 2,543 patients who had 3,027 surgical procedures. About half of the patients were male with a mean age of 58 years. More than 70% of patients had at least one comorbidity, and nearly 80% of cases were elective.

The postoperative mortality rate was 4.01%. Multivariate analysis found increased age, current smoker, presence of comorbidity, emergency and urgent vs elective procedure, admission through the ED or inpatient service vs outpatient were associated with mortality. Thoracic surgery was the specialty with the highest association with mortality. A total of 17.5% of patients required ICU admission, with increased body mass index being a predictor.

Further studies are needed to understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term postoperative outcomes, the researchers say.