Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Aug 2020
Subjective Changes in Smell and Taste During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Survey-Preliminary Results.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many individuals have noted acute loss of smell and/or taste, although not all patients with these symptoms are tested for COVID-19. To better characterize all patients with these rare symptoms, a national survey was created. Over 13 days in April 2020, a total of 220 people completed the survey in its entirety, representing a wide geographic distribution across the United States. ⋯ A total of 37.7% of respondents reported changes in smell/taste as the initial or sole presentation of their condition. Most but not all patients had other symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 at the time of chemosensory loss. Despite its inclusion as a major symptom of COVID-19 by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), respondents with additional CDC-defined symptoms associated with COVID-19 were statistically more likely to be tested/diagnosed than those without.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Aug 2020
Patient-Worn Enhanced Protection Face Shield for Flexible Endoscopy.
The primary objective of this study was to compare the protection afforded by a standard face shield design with a new enhanced design in a controlled setting. ⋯ During the course of a flexible fiberoptic endoscopy, medical personnel are safely isolated from potential infectious particles with a newly designed face shield.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Aug 2020
Cadaveric Simulation of Otologic Procedures: An Analysis of Droplet Splatter Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The otolaryngology community has significant concerns regarding the spread of SARS-CoV-2 through droplet contamination and viral aerosolization during head and neck examinations and procedures. The objective of this study was to investigate the droplet and splatter contamination from common otologic procedures. ⋯ Our results show that there is no droplet generation during myringotomy with ventilation tube placement in an operating room setting. Mastoidectomy, however, showed gross contamination 3 to 6 ft away in all directions measured. Additionally, there was significantly more droplet and splatter generation to the left of the surgeon when measured at 1 and 3 ft as compared with all other measured directions.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Aug 2020
Facial Schwannoma Management Outcomes: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
To evaluate facial nerve outcomes of various management strategies for facial schwannomas by assimilating individualized patient data from the literature to address controversies in management. ⋯ The data from this study help delineate which treatment strategies are best in which clinical scenarios. The findings can be used to develop a more definitive management algorithm for this complicated pathology.