Resource: Outpatient Plastic Surgery Is Safe During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Results of a July 2020 Los Angeles Survey and Literature Review
Source: Aesthetic Surgery Journal
Synopsis: This survey assessed the safety of plastic surgery during the pandemic by quantifying: 1) the preoperative prevalence of SARS-CoV-2; 2) the risk of postop COVID-19; 3) outcomes and precious resource utilization for such cases; and 4) the risks to office staff.
112 surgeons reported 5633 surgeries since resuming elective surgery. 103 (91.96%) of respondents obtained a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test on every preoperative patient. The preoperative PCR test was positive in 41/5881 (0.69%). Positive tests within two weeks occurred in 7/5380 (0.13%) of surgical patients, 3/8506 (0.04%) of injection patients, and 6/2519 (0.24%) of energy therapy patients. Nine offices reported at least one staff member who developed COVID-19. All cases were mild, with no hospitalizations or deaths.
Comment: This data demonstrates that plastic surgery can be safely performed during a COVID-19 surge by ABPS diplomates. This has profound impact for patients, plastic surgeons, and health policy regulators.
