Breast reconstruction during the COVID-19 pandemic in resource-limited settings

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel, rapidly changing pandemic. It has affected specialized medical services in unprecedented ways. Surgical decision making, always the most important aspect of care has taken on an added layer of complexity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, recommendations for breast reconstruction during COVID-19 remain challenging and unclear. This article reviews the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests potential approaches that could be considered in the absence of validated strategies in breast reconstruction.

Keywords

• reconstructive surgical procedures
• mammaplasty
• breast implantation
• surgical flaps
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• covid-19
• pandemics