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

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 prepandemic, 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 postpandemic overload can be prevented. Keywords: COVID-19, breast, breast surgery, complication