The experience of infection prevention for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during general anesthesia in an epidemic of COVID-19: including unexpected exposure case - Two cases report -

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been an epidemic in the Republic of Korea since the first patient who came in China was confirmed as having the disease on January 19, 2020. Therefore, surgery for COVID-19-related patients is expected to increase. CASE: We experienced two cases of COVID-19-related patients who underwent surgery for femur fracture under general anesthesia. In one case, infection control to prevent transmission was achieved, while in the second case, healthcare workers were exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). CONCLUSIONS: In areas where there is COVID-19 epidemic, SARS-CoV-2 real-time polymerase chain reaction should be performed before surgery in patients with symptoms of respiratory infection such as fever, cough, and sputum, or for those in whom the possibility of COVID-19 cannot be completely excluded. Efforts should be made to prevent healthcare worker’s exposure and the contamination of the operating room.