TY - JOUR T1 - Prevalence of COVID‐19 Infection and COVID‐19 Sequelae in Patients Undergoing Anaesthesia for Elective Surgical Procedures During the COVID‐19 Pandemic AU - Kumar, M. AU - Basha, A. Mohammed AU - Kousika, K. JO - Research Journal of Medical Sciences VL - 18 IS - 11 SP - 656 EP - 658 PY - 2024 DA - 2001/08/19 SN - 1815-9346 DO - makrjms.2024.11.656.658 UR - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=makrjms.2024.11.656.658 KW - COVID‐19 pandemic KW - elective surgeries AB -

The COVID‐19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare services, particularly elective surgical procedures. Patients undergoing anaesthesia for elective surgeries may be at risk of COVID‐19 infection or sequelae, affecting perioperative outcomes. Healthcare workers are also at risk of getting COVID 19 infection from patients undergoing elective surgeries. This study was conducted as a cross‐sectional analysis at the ACS Medical college and Hospital between October 2020 and October 2021 with sample size of 40. The population consists of Patients undergoing anaesthesia for elective surgical procedures. In a recent study, the average age of participants was 38.10 years, with a standard deviation of 10.68 years, indicating a diverse age range among the subjects. Notably, there was a higher proportion of male participants compared to females. COVID‐19 prevalence among these individuals was assessed using two diagnostic methods: RT‐PCR Testing: 15% of participants tested positive, reflecting active or recent infections. Contrast‐Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) Scans: A higher prevalence of 27.5% was detected, suggesting that CECT scans may identify additional cases not captured by RT‐PCR alone. A significant association was found between preoperative and intraoperative SpO levels, as well as between preoperative and postoperative SpO levels. This underscores the importance of monitoring oxygen saturation before surgery to anticipate and manage potential respiratory challenges during and after the procedure. In light of the findings from the recent study, it is evident that comprehensive preoperative assessments are crucial for optimizing surgical outcomes in patients with a history of COVID‐19. The higher detection rate of COVID‐19 via Contrast‐Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) scans compared to RT‐PCR tests suggests that incorporating both diagnostic methods may provide a more accurate evaluation of a patient's infection status. Moreover, the significant associations between preoperative and both intraoperative and postoperative SpO levels highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring of oxygen saturation throughout the surgical process. Implementing these comprehensive assessment strategies can enhance patient safety and improve postoperative outcomes in the Covid pandemic period.

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