Considerations for Perioperative Thromboembolic Risk Mitigation in Actively and Recently COVID-19-Positive Patients Undergoing Hand Surgery

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID) induces a hypercoagulable state causing an increased risk of venous and arterial thromboses. Distal limb and microvascular circulation are critical to the success of many hand surgeries, and patients who are actively or recently infected with COVID may be at a higher risk for perioperative thrombotic events. Little information is available regarding how to handle actively or recently infected COVID patients, including preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative decision making, and postoperative considerations regarding thrombotic risk. Our aim was to review the literature to determine how the hand surgeon can best prepare for and manage the actively or recently COVID-positive patients undergoing hand surgeries.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Hand surgery
• Perioperative thrombotic events
• Risk mitigation
• Thrombosis