Brief guideline for the prevention of COVID-19 infection in head and neck and otolaryngology surgeons

• Published in: American journal of otolaryngology Vol. 41; no. 3; p. 102484
• Main Authors: Boccalatte, L.A., Larrañaga, J.J., Perez Raffo, G.M., Teijido, C.A., García Fornari, G., Staneloni, M.I., Figari, M.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-05-2020; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - prevention & control; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Databases, Factual; Disease prevention; Disease transmission; Eye protection; Female; Gloves; Goggles; Head; Head and neck; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional - prevention & control; Instrumentation; Intubation; Male; Masks; Medical personnel; Medical supplies; Meetings; Nasopharynx; Nose; Occupational Health; Otolaryngologists - statistics & numerical data; Otolaryngology; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures - methods; Pandemics; Pandemics - prevention & control; Pandemics - statistics & numerical data; Patients; Personal Protective Equipment - statistics & numerical data; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Pneumonia, Viral - prevention & control; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Protective equipment; Respiratory diseases; Retrospective Studies; Risk; Risk Assessment; Surgeons; Surgeons - statistics & numerical data; Surgery; Telemedicine; Viral diseases; Italy; Argentina; China
• ISSN: 0196-0709; 1532-818X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102484

Anatomically, viral density is greater in the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx. It is to be expected that instrumentation in or through those areas will entail a higher risk of transmission. That's why head and neck and otolaryngologist surgeons are among the most vulnerable health professionals.
Surgeons should essentially perform procedures they require. Surgeries should be performed with personal protective equipment suitable for the high risk of aerosolization: goggles, N95 face mask, facial mask, blood-repelling gown and gloves. It is advisable to have the cooperative COVID-19 test in all patients. Telemedicine is a useful resource if resources allow it.
Otolaryngologists and related specialists are among the groups at higher risk when performing surgeries and upper airway examinations. There are no emergencies in a pandemic. The care of health professionals is crucial to combating this health situation.