Youssef Halhoul, Mehdi Hamdoune, Marouane Jidal, Yasser Ouattab, Zakaria Hamdani, Abderrahmane El Wali, Mustapha Bensghir, Mohammed Drissi
Journal: Medpeer Publisher
ISSN: 3066-2737
Volume: 3
Issue: 2
Date of Publication: 2026/02/03
Infection with Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1), commonly presenting as herpes labialis, is frequently encountered in perioperative anesthesia practice. Although generally considered a benign and self-limited condition, the presence of active vesicular lesions during the perioperative period raises several theoretical and practical concerns. These include the risk of iatrogenic viral transmission, potential impairment of wound healing, and the rare but severe complication of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), particularly in the context of surgical stress and transient perioperative immunosuppression.
Currently, there are no clear, evidence-based guidelines addressing the management of patients with active herpes labialis undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia. This lack of consensus leads to significant variability in clinical decision-making. This article discusses perioperative risk considerations and management strategies reported in the literature, with a particular focus on the rationale for postponing elective procedures in the presence of active lesions.
Through the presentation of a case involving a patient scheduled for total thyroidectomy under general anesthesia who was found to have active herpes labialis, we aim to highlight this unresolved clinical issue and emphasize the need for clearer perioperative recommendations.
Anesthesia, Herpes, Infection, Labialis, Surgery
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