Patients' characteristics and 30-day mortality for those undergoing elective surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

Shakera Ahmed, Anwarul Karim, Tanvir Kabir Chowdhury, Orindom Shing Pulock, Nowrin Tamanna, Mastura Akter, Puja Biswas, Fahmida Afroz, Susmita Dey Pinky, Anika Nahrin Alabbi, Tasnuba Raisa Jamil, Zarin Tasnim, Dipa Dev, Mraching Marma, Tasmiah Tahera Aziz, Hafiz Ahmed Nazmul Hakim, A K M Khairul Basher, Nur Hossain Bhuiyan Shahin, Tahmina Banu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the surgical practice throughout the world, including elective surgical care. This study investigated the characteristics of patients undergoing elective surgery, the prevalence of COVID-19 infection, the surgical procedures performed, and 30-day mortality in general and pediatric surgical settings in selected tertiary-level hospitals in Bangladesh from November 2020 to August 2021.

Methods
This serial cross-sectional study included 264 patients scheduled for elective surgeries during the study period. All patients underwent COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing within 24 hours before surgery. Data on age, sex, common comorbidities, surgical procedures, and 30-day mortality were collected and analyzed. Furthermore, comparisons were made between COVID-19 positive and negative patients.

Results
The prevalence of COVID-19 infection among patients was 10.6%. Older age, a history of major surgery within the last three months, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with COVID-19 infection. All COVID-19-negative patients underwent surgery, while only 46.4% of COVID-19-positive patients underwent surgery. The most common surgical procedures were related to the digestive system, breast, and urinary system. Only one patient (0.4%) died within 30 days after surgery among the COVID-19-negative patients, whereas two patients (7.1%) died among the COVID-19-positive patients: one before surgery and one after surgery.

Conclusions
This study provides valuable insights into the characteristics, burden of COVID-19 infection, and 30-day mortality of patients undergoing elective surgery in tertiary care centers in Bangladesh during the pandemic.

© 2023 Ahmed et al. 
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0289878
JournalPLOS ONE
Volume18
Issue number8
Online published14 Aug 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Publisher's Copyright Statement

  • This full text is made available under CC-BY 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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