Incidence and Severity of Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Surgery Following COVID-19 Infection at a Tertiary Care Center in South India.

Background: The occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and other sequelae of COVID-19 infections like thromboembolic events in patients coming for surgery following COVID-19 infection in the Indian population had not been adequately studied.

Aim of the study: We evaluated the incidence of PPCs, acute kidney injury, and thromboembolic complications such as pulmonary embolism, deep-vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, and 30-day mortality rate in post-COVID-19 patients undergoing surgery compared to those without a history of COVID-19 infection.

Settings and design: It was a retrospective, observational, case-control study conducted in a tertiary care center.

Materials and methods: One hundred and sixty-six post-COVID-19 surgical patients were included. A matched control group (n = 166) was formed by choosing patients with no history of COVID-19 who underwent similar surgical procedures under a similar technique of anesthesia. Their medical records were analyzed for the development of postoperative pulmonary and nonpulmonary complications and 30-day mortality.

Statistical analysis used: Independent samples t-test and Chi-squared test were used for statistical analysis.

Results: The mean age of patients in the control group was significantly higher than those in the post-COVID-19 group. The number of patients who received two doses of vaccine was also significantly higher in the control group. Comparison of the distribution of preexisting medical conditions and postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and incidence of 30-day mortality did not show any significant difference in both groups.

Conclusion: Incidence of postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and 30-day mortality in post-COVID-19 patients undergoing surgical procedures were comparable with patients with no history of COVID-19 infection.