The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology
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Ann. Otol. Rhinol. Laryngol. · Mar 2021
Bedside Surgical Tracheostomy in the Intensive Care Unit during Covid-19 Pandemic.
To describe Otolaryngologists' perspective in managing COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring tracheostomy in the ICUs during the pandemic peak in a dramatic scenario with limited resources. ⋯ Tracheostomies on COVID-19 patients should be performed in a safe and standardized setting. The limited resources available in the pandemic peak required meticulous organization and optimal allocation of the resources to grant safety of both patients and healthcare workers.
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Ann. Otol. Rhinol. Laryngol. · Mar 2021
Novel Use of Vitamin B2 as a Fluorescent Tracer in Aerosol and Droplet Contamination Models in Otolaryngology.
During the COVID-19 era, a reliable method for tracing aerosols and droplets generated during otolaryngology procedures is needed to accurately assess contamination risk and to develop mitigation measures. Prior studies have not investigated the reliability of different fluorescent tracers for the purpose of studying aerosols and small droplets. Objectives include (1) comparing vitamin B2, fluorescein, and a commercial fluorescent green dye in terms of particle dispersion pattern, suspension into aerosols and small droplets, and fluorescence in aerosolized form and (2) determining the utility of vitamin B2 as a fluorescent tracer coating the aerodigestive tract mucosa in otolaryngology contamination models. ⋯ Vitamin B2's reliability as a fluorescent tracer when suspended in aerosols and small droplets ≤14.1 µm and known mucosal safety profile make it an ideal compound compared to fluorescein and commercial water-based fluorescent dyes for use as a safe fluorescent tracer in healthcare contamination models especially with human subjects.