Triaging Out of Elective Surgeries during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Wrong Approach?

Abstract

The devastating burden of COVID-19 on the health of individuals and capacities of health systems has led to blanket cancellations of elective surgeries globally. In response, surgery and anesthesia societies worldwide have published perioperative guidelines to inform the continuation of elective surgical procedures during the pandemic, as well as the resumption of services in the post-pandemic phase. The effects of these widespread cancellations on the health of patients or the overall cost to the health systems are unclear. This commentary aims to review current literature on the cancellation of elective surgeries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, summarize recommendations from several perioperative guidelines, and discuss key considerations for the resumption of elective surgeries in the post-pandemic world.