COVID‐19 pandemic: Effects and evidence‐based recommendations for otolaryngology and head and neck surgery practice

• DOI: 10.1002/hed.26164
• Publication Date: 2020-04-09T07:30:08Z
• Authors: Luiz P. Kowalski; Alvaro Sanabria; John A. Ridge; Wai Tong Ng; Remco de Bree; Alessandra Rinaldo; Robert P. Takes; Antti A. Mäkitie; Andre L. Carvalho; Carol R. Bradford; Vinidh Paleri; Dana M. Hartl; Vincent Vander Po...; Iain J. Nixon; Cesare Piazza; Peter D. Lacy; Juan P. Rodrigo; Orlando Guntinas‐...; William M. Menden...; Anil D'Cruz; Anne W. M. Lee; Alfio Ferlito
• Keywords: Pandemic; Isolation

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly contagious zoonosis produced by SARS-CoV-2 that spread human-to-human respiratory secretions. It was declared the WHO as public health emergency. most susceptible populations, needing mechanical ventilation, are elderly and people with associated comorbidities. There an important risk of contagion for anesthetists, dentists, head neck surgeons, maxillofacial ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists. Health workers represent between 3.8% 20% infected population; some 15% will develop severe complaints among them, many lose their lives. A large number patients do not have overt signs symptoms (fever/respiratory), yet pose real to surgeons (who should know this fact must therefore apply protective strategies all they encounter). All interventions potential aerosolize aerodigestive secretions be avoided or used only when mandatory. who are: pregnant, over 55 65 years age, history chronic diseases (uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obstructive pulmonary diseases, clinical scenarios where immunosuppression feasible, including induced treat inflammatory conditions organ transplants) avoid attention potentially patient. care facilities prioritize urgent emergency visits procedures until present condition stabilizes; truly elective cease discussed on case-by-case basis cancer. For those working COVID-19 patients' isolation compulsory in following settings: (a) unprotected close contact pneumonia patients; (b) onset fever, cough, shortness breath, other (gastrointestinal complaints, anosmia, dysgeusia been reported minority cases). any intervention upper tract region, irrespective setting confirmed diagnosis (eg, rhinoscopy flexible laryngoscopy outpatient tracheostomy rigid endoscopy under anesthesia), it strongly recommended personnel wear personal equipment such N95, gown, cap, eye protection, gloves. described essential trying maintain safety during pandemic. In particular, otolaryngologists, neck, per se exposed greatest infection while caring positive subjects, protection considered priority circumstances.