Resumption of day surgery activity in the acute phase of COVID-19 pandemic

The rapid spread of COVID-19 disease since February 2020 has strongly impacted on the Healthcare System worldwide, who above all was forced to ensure the treatment of the COVID infected patients primarily. Then, the elective surgical procedures were limited to oncology, even stopping any Day Surgery (DS) activities. In Italy more than DS 650.000 procedures have been delayed. Day surgery commonly is performed in free-standing units or in dedicated hospital areas, with separated access to spaces for admission and dedicated operating rooms, allowing a lower risk of contamination during hospitalization.1 The implementation of protocols and recommendations, and a new planning of the pathways, can ensure an early restart of daily surgery procedures, regardless of the pandemic trend.