Amanda Nickles Fader, MD
Magdy P Milad, MD
Humberto J Dionisi, MD
Published: April 03, 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2020.04.002
PlumX Metrics
The novel nature of the COVID-19 pandemic presents many challenges to gynecologists working to optimize the care of their patients. No part of our practice has been more disrupted than the ability to offer timely procedures to our patients with gynecologic surgical indications. Despite efforts to limit elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, urgent and emergent procedures must still be performed. For many of these urgent procedures, such as ruptured ectopic pregnancy, hemorrhagic ovarian cysts, or ovarian torsion, laparoscopy may offer the best surgical approach and outcomes for the patient. However, some have suggested that laparoscopic procedures should be avoided, and laparotomy procedures are universally employed when a patient is COVID-19 positive or status is unknown due to concerns about aerosolization of viral particles via the pneumoperitoneum. We strongly disagree with this premise. Based on the best available evidence, we concur with both the recent U.S. joint professional society statement on minimally invasive gynecology during the COVID-19 pandemic (1) as well as the European joint society statements (2) endorsing laparoscopy as a safe surgical approach in this setting.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is a respiratory pathogen. Both RNA and infectious virus are detected primarily from human upper and lower respiratory tract specimens. The COVID-19 virions are approximately 0.125 microns in size and are most commonly transmitted as larger (> 20 microns) respiratory water droplets. The virus may also be aerosolized and transmitted in smaller droplets (< 10 microns) in gas suspension. Particle size has implications for suspension time and filtration requirements. SARS-CoV-2 RNA has also been detected in blood and stool specimens, but it is unknown if the infectious virus is present in these extrapulmonary specimens (3). To date, no studies have identified SARS-CoV-2 in surgical smoke, and even if found, it is not known whether these viral particles are infectious. Additionally, while viral RNA may be detected in the blood, no transmission of COVID-19 has been documented through this route (4).
What have we learned from other viral epidemics and surgical risks? That the risk of viral disease transmission with laparoscopy is virtually zero. Although the viral DNA of blood-borne viral pathogens, such as hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have been detected in surgical plume after the use of surgical energy (e.g. electrosurgery, laser, and harmonic scalpel, there is no evidence to indicate that use of electrosurgery during laparoscopy increases the risk of disease transmission via the surgical plume or pneumoperitoneum (5,6). Further, surgery in patients with HIV and hepatitis B and C has been ongoing for decades, without documented increased risk of transmission from the surgical plume or laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum to surgeons, anesthesiologists or operating room personnel. In fact, when possible, laparoscopic techniques that significantly minimize exposure of surgeons to blood-borne pathogens is far preferred to laparotomy.
Additionally, although COVID-19 is a novel disease, evidence from similar respiratory viruses, such as influenza and other coronaviruses (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)), have not shown evidence of disease transmission through surgical plume or laparoscopic gas during prior viral epidemics or annual flu seasons (7). The bottom line is: there is no compelling data to support the notion that respiratory or blood-borne infectious viruses are transmitted through the surgical plume or aerosolized laparoscopic gas.
One must also consider the adverse impact of adopting overarching policy changes (such as “laparotomy is better during the COVID-19 pandemic because of theoretical aerosolization risks”) based on erroneous assumptions. What is not theoretical is that converting more cases to laparotomy during the COVID-19 pandemic will have dire downstream consequences, including prolonged hospital stays and bed utilization, an increased likelihood of intensive care unit stay, greater risk of patient harm from surgical complications (including undesirable pulmonary issues during a respiratory viral crisis), and greater risks of COVID-19 exposure for both the patient and health care providers. Given the lack of data to support the claim that COVID-19 virus spreads via the laparoscopic smoke plume or pneumoperitoneum, one cannot justify the increased utilization of precious resources, greater number of surgical complications, and infectious exposure risks to patient and caregivers that would result if laparoscopic approaches were abandoned during this period.
Nevertheless, despite this reassuring data, precautions should be considered to minimize any potential or theoretical risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are several relevant safety considerations for clinical teams who participate in gynecologic surgery during this time. Laparoscopy most commonly involves general anesthesia, with the associated intubation, extubation, and mechanical ventilation, which may produce airborne viral droplets in a COVID-19 positive patient. General anesthesia is not contraindicated in COVID-19 confirmed patients, but the surgical team should minimize exposure to the airborne virus during intubation and extubation and OR personnel should don adequate PPE including face shields, N95 filtered masks if available, gowns and gloves. Even if it is assumed that limited viral particles may become airborne via pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy, the operating room is one of the safest places in the hospital to avoid COVID-19 exposure, given the air filtration/circulation in most standard ORs, the sterile field, and surgeons and anesthesiologist will be wearing PPE.
Several techniques can be used to minimize the potential risk of airborne viral particles at the time of surgery via any route, and specifically during laparoscopy. Performing laparoscopy with lower intraabdominal CO2 pressures and minimizing the use of energy will limit the production of surgical plume and pneumoperitoneum. Additionally, the use of a smoke evacuation/filtration system allows for controlled release and filtration of the surgical plume. Ideally, gas and plume evacuation and filtration are accomplished with the use of ultralow particulate air filter (ULPA) rated to screen particles of 0.1 microns in diameter (e.g., the ConMed Airseal or Stryker Pneumoseal). In contrast, high-efficiency air filters (HEPA) are only required to filter particles of 0.3 microns in diameter. Of note, N95 masks are rated to filter out at least 95% of very small (0.3 microns) particles. (3) While smoke evacuation and filtration systems can be used both at the time of laparoscopy and laparotomy, laparoscopy offers the unique advantage of being able to almost entirely contain the surgical plume in the abdominal cavity. In conjunction with tightly fitting laparoscopic ports, an evacuation/filtration system can be used to minimize the release of the potential airborne virus into the operating room environment, while simultaneously evacuating the surgical smoke actively or passively. It is important to avoid the sudden release of the pneumoperitoneum. This is most relevant prior to tissue extraction, whether via a mini-laparotomy or vaginally, and at the completion of the surgery. At these times, the abdominal cavity should be actively insufflated through a filtration system or with a simple piece of tubing attached to a suction canister, rather than releasing the pneumoperitoneum into the operating room. The use of a containment bag for tissue extraction can help maintain the seal and may limit the loss of pneumoperitoneum.
This is in contrast to smoke evacuation at the time of laparotomy, where containment of the surgical smoke is challenging, if not impossible. The smoke evacuator must ideally be within 2 cm of the source, with a 50% loss of capture every 1 cm from the source of the plume. If COVID-19 particles can indeed be disseminated into the surgical plume, then surgeons and OR personnel may be more likely to experience direct exposure to viral particles from a laparotomy approach.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the field of medicine, including surgical procedures. Healthcare providers have had to implement new safety protocols to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus during surgical procedures. Laparoscopy has become a popular choice for many surgical procedures due to its minimally invasive nature, which offers several advantages over traditional open surgery. Despite concerns about the potential for aerosolization of the virus during laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopy is considered safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. This essay will explore the reasons why laparoscopy is considered safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minimal Invasive Nature
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that involves making small incisions in the abdomen to access the surgical site. Unlike traditional open surgery, laparoscopy does not require large incisions or extensive tissue manipulation, reducing the risk of bleeding, pain, and scarring. The minimally invasive nature of laparoscopy also reduces the risk of exposure to bodily fluids, which can reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.
Reduced Aerosolization
One of the concerns about laparoscopic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic is the potential for aerosolization of the virus. Aerosolization occurs when small droplets containing the virus are released into the air and can remain suspended for a period of time, increasing the risk of transmission. However, studies have shown that laparoscopy does not produce significant aerosolization of the virus. In fact, laparoscopy produces less aerosolization than traditional open surgery, as the smaller incisions and reduced tissue manipulation result in less tissue trauma.
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Healthcare providers performing laparoscopic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic use personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. PPE includes masks, gloves, gowns, and face shields. PPE is used during all surgical procedures, regardless of the surgical technique used. The use of PPE can reduce the risk of transmission of the virus from the patient to the healthcare provider, and vice versa.
Screening and Testing
Healthcare providers are screening and testing patients prior to surgical procedures to identify individuals who may be infected with the virus. Patients are asked about symptoms, travel history, and exposure to individuals with the virus. Patients who are suspected of having the virus are tested prior to the procedure. This screening and testing process helps to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus during laparoscopic surgery.
Reduced Hospital Stay
Laparoscopic surgery is associated with shorter hospital stays than traditional open surgery. This reduced hospital stay can reduce the risk of exposure to the virus, as the patient is in the hospital for a shorter period of time. In addition, patients who undergo laparoscopic surgery may require less pain medication and have a faster recovery time, reducing the risk of complications and the need for prolonged hospitalization.
Conclusion
Laparoscopy is considered safe during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its minimally invasive nature, reduced aerosolization, use of personal protective equipment, screening and testing of patients, and reduced hospital stay. Laparoscopic surgery offers several advantages over traditional open surgery, including reduced bleeding, pain, and scarring, and faster recovery times. Despite concerns about the potential for aerosolization of the virus during laparoscopic surgery, studies have shown that laparoscopy does not produce significant aerosolization of the virus. The use of PPE and screening and testing of patients further reduce the risk of transmission of the virus during laparoscopic surgery. With continued vigilance and adherence to safety protocols, laparoscopic surgery can continue to be performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.