Obesity and SARS-CoV-2: Considerations on bariatric surgery and recommendations for the start of surgical activity

Impact of COVID-19 on the Destiny of Bariatric Patients

“…The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic since the first half of 2020 has had a significant impact worldwide. A large number of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection poured into emergency departments since the beginning of March 2020, and the emerging need for intensive care beds has strained the Health Care System around the world, literally paralyzing operating rooms [ 13 ].…”

Consensus of the ambulatory surgery commite section of the Spanish Association of Surgeons on the role of ambulatory surgery in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

“… In phase I alert, the epidemiological situation is considered favorable, and practically normal surgical activity can be carried out, maintaining the safety measures agreed upon with preventive medicine. In this situation, and in patients with intermediate risk and surgery, PCR will be omitted 9 . In the case of a patient with a positive PCR, as in cases of suspicious symptoms of COVID-19 disease during screening, surgery will be suspended and postponed for at least seven weeks, provided that the pathology and the patient’s status allow 32 .…”

“…The evidence existing to date, both on the infection and on the surgical approach to it, has been intensively and continuously shared and updated in a short space of time by the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC) and its divisions 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , in permanent contact with other scientific societies 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 . This has made it possible to treat a large number of patients and has put the entire Spanish healthcare system to a great test of strength, and the response of all health professionals is being exceptional.…”

Obesidad y COVID-19. Un posicionamiento necesario

“…Además de la necesidad de reorganizar los recursos para hacer frente a la pandemia, la cirugía en pacientes con COVID-19 presenta un elevado riesgo de complicaciones. La reorganización de la asistencia debe incluir la planificación de la cirugía bariátrica, ya que la demora puede tener consecuencias graves o fatales 11,12 . Hasta el 50% de los pacientes en lista de espera de cirugía bariátrica desarrolla una nueva complicación de la obesidad y el 1,5% fallece mientras espera la intervención 13 .…”

“…Así, además de la necesidad de tratar los casos de complicaciones de una cirugía bariátrica previa, se recomienda priorizar a los pacientes con mal control de las comorbilidades (diabetes, apnea del sueño, etc. ), o en aquellos sujetos en los que la obesidad contraindica la realización de otro tratamiento vital, como es el caso de los trasplantes 12 .…”