Insight into PCR testing for surgeons

The most commonly used molecular diagnostic technique is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR detects a short section of genetic code of interest, a cancer gene, human mRNA or a pathogen’s genome. It is used by every specialty in medicine and surgery, with increasing frequency and importance. In this article, the history, steps of the cycle, uses, forms, advantages and disadvantages of PCR are discussed. With the SARS coronavirus-2 pandemic having such an enormous impact on the delivery of elective surgery, decisions to proceed or defer are made by surgeons on a daily basis, based on PCR results. An understanding of these results is provided, what they tell us, what they do not and what other information is required to make these decisions. It is imperative to also look beyond PCR results, seeing the patient within the context of their symptoms, other pathology and imaging results, with the assistance of a medical virologist or microbiologist, in complex cases.