Endoscopy in Otorhinolaryngology During Corona Outbreak: A Proposal for Safe Practice

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a type of viral pneumonia that has paralysed the entire world both in terms of health and economy. It has been recently declared as a global pandemic. All the health care professionals must be aware of the disease entity and take precautionary measures to control its transmission from person to person, particularly in hospital settings. In this article, we propose essential steps that can be implemented at the departmental and institutional levels to do endoscopic diagnostic procedures effectively during COVID-19 outbreak and to break the transmission chain.

Operating room air delivery design to protect patient and surgical site results in particles released at surgical table having greater concentration along walls of the room than at the instrument tray

“…1 Distancing is a theme of public conversation, 2 including during tracheal intubation and/or extubation, and other aerosol generating procedures, when personnel cannot safely or practically leave the room. [3][4][5][6][7] (See Google search at https://FDshort.com/WagnerAirParticles). Inside ORs, is exposure to pathologic airborne particles (eg, potentially SARS-CoV-2) less when people stand or sit farther from the patient?…”

“…Inside ORs, is exposure to pathologic airborne particles (eg, potentially SARS-CoV-2) less when people stand or sit farther from the patient? [3][4][5][6][7] When an anesthesiologist intubates or extubates the patient, or surgical smoke is produced, 8 would others in the room be safer by moving away (eg, complete their charting at a computer along a wall)?…”