European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Sep 2020
Proposal of a timing strategy for cholesteatoma surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 infection is an aggressive viral illness with high risk of transmission during otolaryngology examination and surgery. Cholesteatoma is known for its potential to cause complications and scheduling of surgery during the pandemic must be done carefully. The majority of otological surgeries may be classified as elective and postponed at this time (e.g., stapedotomy, tympanoplasty); whereas, others are emergencies (e.g., complicated acute otitis media, complicated cholesteatoma with cerebral or Bezold's abscess, meningitis, sinus thrombosis) and require immediate intervention. What is the ideal time for the surgical management of Cholesteatoma during the COVID-19 pandemic? ⋯ Evidence on the timing of surgery of patients with cholesteatoma during the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking. This manuscript contains practical tips on how cholesteatoma surgery can be reorganized during this pandemic.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Sep 2020
The role of self-reported smell and taste disorders in suspected COVID‑19.
The sudden onset of smell and taste loss has been reported as a symptom related to COVID-19. There is urgent need to provide insight to the pandemic and evaluate anosmia as a potential screening symptom that might contribute to the decision to test suspected cases or guide quarantine instructions. ⋯ Anosmia is more prevalent in COVID-19 patients than in patients suffering from other respiratory infections or controls.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Sep 2020
New onset of loss of smell or taste in household contacts of home-isolated SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects.
To estimate the prevalence of smell or taste impairment in household contacts of mildly symptomatic home-isolated SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. ⋯ Smell or taste impairment are quite common in not-tested household contacts of mildly symptomatic home-isolated SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. This should be taken into account when estimating the burden of loss of sense of smell and taste during COVID-19 pandemic, and further highlights the value of loss of sense of smell and taste as a marker of infection.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Sep 2020
High definition three-dimensional exoscope (VITOM 3D) for microsurgery training: a preliminary experience.
To assess the feasibility of a high definition 3D exoscope (VITOM®) for microsurgery training in a cohort of naïve medical students. ⋯ This study demonstrated the feasibility of a VITOM-based microsurgery training. The students' subjective assessment of the VITOM® 3D system was promising in terms of technological quality and technical feasibility. Further studies are recommended to define which VITOM® holding system could be more appropriate for microsurgery training.