Breast Surgery can be Performed Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has affected the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases including breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate whether breast surgery can be performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer or suspicious breast lesions in the pre-pandemic, first wave, and second wave periods of the pandemic were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Data of 220 patients who underwent breast surgery were analyzed. No significant difference was found between the pre-pandemic, first wave, and second wave periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of patient characteristics, complications, types of complication, Clavien-Dindo classification of complications, and complications requiring intervention. No COVID-19 related complication was also observed. Conclusion: Breast surgery can be performed safely in the COVID-19 pandemic. For safe surgery, appropriate precautionary measures against COVID-19 and COVID-19 screening should be initiated. COVID-19-free surgical pathway is also important for safe surgery. With the continuation of surgeries, fear of upstaging, subsequent requirement of more aggressive treatment for tumors, and post-pandemic overload can be prevented.