Abstract
Background: The safety of laparoscopic surgery in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients remains unclear. The presence of the virus within peritoneal fluid and the peritoneal tissues is not known. We report an asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patient who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy with negative peritoneal sampling for SARS-CoV-2. Materials and Methods: During a standard 3 port laparoscopic surgery samples peritoneal fluid, peritoneal brushings, and surgical smoke plum were collected. Specific real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction targeting SARS-CoV-2 were used to detect the presence of the virus in the samples. Results: SARS-CoV-2 was not detected on multiple samples of the peritoneum in an asymptomatic patient. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 was not found in the peritoneum of a single patient with asymptomatic infection. Further studies comparing SARS-CoV-2 surgical candidates are needed to address safety concerns.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | E43-E45 |
Journal | Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy and Percutaneous Techniques |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2020 |
Keywords
- Appendectomy
- Appendicitis
- COVID-19
- Coronavirus
- Laparoscopy
- SARS-Cov-2
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery