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Society of Robotic Surgery review: recommendations regarding the risk of COVID‐19 transmission during minimally invasive surgery
Author(s) -
Porter James,
Blau Elliot,
Gharagozloo Farid,
Martino Martin,
Cerfolio Robert,
Duvvuri Umamaheswar,
Caceres Aileen,
Badani Ketan,
Bhayani Sam,
Collins Justin,
Coelho Rafael,
Rocco Bernard,
Wiklund Peter,
Nathan Senthil,
ParraDavila Eduardo,
OrtizOrtiz Carlos,
Maes Kris,
Dasgupta Prokar,
Patel Vipul
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/bju.15105
Subject(s) - pneumoperitoneum , covid-19 , transmission (telecommunications) , medicine , invasive surgery , surgery , laparoscopy , virology , pathology , disease , computer science , telecommunications , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Objectives To determine the risk of COVID‐19 transmission during minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures Methods Surgical society statements regarding the risk of COVID transmission during MIS procedures were reviewed. In addition, the available literature on COVID‐19 and other viral transmission in CO2 pneumoperitoneum, as well as the presence of virus in the plume created by electrocautery during MIS was reviewed. The society recommendations were compared to the available literature on the topic to create our review and recommendations to mitigate COVID‐19 transmission.Results The recommendations promulgated by various surgical societies evolved over time as more information became available on COVID‐19 transmission. Review of the available literature on the presence of COVID‐19 in CO2 pneumoperitoneum was inconclusive. There is no clear evidence of the presence of COVID‐19 in plume created by electrocautery. Technologies to reduce CO2 pneumoperitoneum release into the operating room as well as filter viral particles are available and should reduce the exposure risk to operating room personnel. Conclusion There is no clear evidence of COVID‐19 virus in the CO2 used during MIS procedures or in the plume created by electrocautery. Until the presence or absence of COVID‐19 viral particles has been clearly established, measures to mitigate CO2 and surgical cautery plume release into the operating room should be performed. Further study on the presence of COVID‐19 in MIS pneumoperitoneum and cautery plume is needed.