THE RESULTS OF BARIATRIC SURGERY PERFORMED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER ASYMPTOMATIC COVID-19 INFECTION

Ahmet Bozdag^*, Mursit Dıncer, Cuneyt Kırkıl

Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey

Objective: The aim of the present study is to present the results of bariatric surgery performed within two weeks after the diagnosis of COVID-19 in morbidly obese asymptomatic patients with mild symptoms. Data about the optimal time for elective surgery in patients with asymptomatic COVID-19 is limited.

Materials and methods: Seven morbidly obese asymptomatic patients or patients with flu-like symptoms underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery 8 to 10 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. They were followed up for a mean of 5.6±1.3 months.

Results: There were no intensive care unit admission, surgery-related complications, and mortality during follow-up period. No symptoms of COVID-19 were detected, and the SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR test was not repeated in any of the patients during follow-up. The mean excessive body mass index loss rate of patients was 48.8±14.7 percent.

Conclusions: Bariatric surgery may be performed within the first two weeks of COVID-19 diagnosis without an increase in mortality risk in asymptomatic patients or a recovery period of mild symptoms.