Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is used to rule out SARS-CoV-2 prior to surgery, however few studies have evaluated patients with negative testing after surgery. Some 499 patients with negative tests were followed for 14 days after surgery, 39 were retested but none developed positive RT-PCR after operation. The risk of developing a positive RT-PCR after surgery was 0.74 per cent.
Outcomes of preoperative real-time polymerase chain reaction testing for SARS CoV-2 in elective otolaryngology surgical patients during the pandemic: a prospective cohort study