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OBJECTIVES: Asthma is a global problem and chronic condition that persists through patient's entire life, during which the possibility of a surgical procedure is common. An accurate clinical and functional evaluation of respiratory functions and asthma control is needed in patients undergoing surgical procedures and requiring general anesthesia. The aim of this study was to disclose any possible relation between postoperative complications and some pre- and postoperative factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, randomly selected 111 asthmatic patients who presented to 10 different tertiary centers were included. The patients were evaluated at three different periods; any day between 1-7 days before surgery, and postoperative third and seventh to tenth days. RESULTS: Among the patients included in the study, 86 (77.5%) were women and mean age was 52.2±13.8 years. General anesthesia was the most common anesthesia type (89.2%), and 33.3% of patients had had a thoracoabdominal surgery. There was a statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative third-day values, including ACT scores (22.2±3.16 and 21.59±3.84, respectively; p<0.001); forced expiratory volume during the first second (84.92±19.12 and 78.26±18.47, respectively; p<0.001); peak flow rate (79.51±21.12 and 70.01±19.72, respectively; p<0.001); and SaO2 (96.95±1.82 and 95.8±3.32, respectively; p<0.001). Bronchospasm and pain were the most common complications during the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Controlled asthma under treatment steps 1-2-3 does not cause any serious postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Therefore, achieving an optimal control level of asthma during the preoperative period must be considered the "gold standard" to reduce the risk of PPCs in asthmatic patients.
RESUMEN
The novel coronavirus pandemic poses a major global threat to public health. Our knowledge concerning every aspect of COVID-19 is evolving rapidly, given the increasing data from all over the world. In this narrative review, the Turkish Thoracic Society Early Career Taskforce members aimed to provide a summary on recent literature regarding epidemiology, clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of COVID-19. Studies revealed that the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus showed significant identity to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor is an important target of the SARS-CoV-2 while entering an organism. Smokers were more likely to develop the disease and have a higher risk for ICU admission. The mean incubation period was 6.4 days, whereas asymptomatic transmission was reported up to 25 days after infection. Fever and cough were the most common symptoms, and cardiovascular diseases and hypertension were reported to be the most common comorbidities among patients. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic and mild disease to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Several patients showed typical symptoms and radiological changes with negative RT-PCR but positive IgG and IgM antibodies. Although radiological findings may vary, bilateral, peripherally distributed, ground-glass opacities were typical of COVID-19. Poor prognosis was associated with older age, higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and high D-dimer level. Chloroquine was found to be effective in reducing viral replication in vitro. Likewise, protease inhibitors, including lopinavir/ritonavir, favipiravir, and nucleoside analogue remdesivir were proposed to be the potential drug candidates in COVID-19 management. Despite these efforts, we still have much to learn regarding the transmission, treatment, and prevention of COVID-19.