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
-
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Feb 2021
ReviewTracheostomy care and decannulation during the COVID-19 pandemic. A multidisciplinary clinical practice guideline.
Traditional critical care dogma regarding the benefits of early tracheostomy during invasive ventilation has had to be revisited due to the risk of COVID-19 to patients and healthcare staff. Standard practises that have evolved to minimise the risks associated with tracheostomy must be comprehensively reviewed in light of the numerous potential episodes for aerosol generating procedures. We meet the urgent need for safe practise standards by presenting the experience of two major London teaching hospitals, and synthesise our findings into an evidence-based guideline for multidisciplinary care of the tracheostomy patient. ⋯ COVID-19 requires a radical rethink of many tenets of tracheostomy care, and controversy continues to exist regarding the optimal techniques to minimise risk to patients and healthcare workers. Safe practise requires a coordinated multidisciplinary team approach to infection control, weaning and decannulation, with integrated processes for continuous prospective data collection and audit.
-
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Feb 2021
The microscope drape method to reduce aerosolisation during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery in the COVID era. How i do it.
Otolaryngologists are faced with concerning challenges since the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic due to significant risk of occupational infection. Transmission can happen during intraoperative exposure to viral particles carried by droplets or aerosols. Endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery are notable for causing aerosolisation, putting healthcare staff at substantial risk. ⋯ The microscope drape technique is a simple barrier measure that could potentially improve safety during endoscopic procedures.
-
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Feb 2021
ReviewOlfactory and gustatory dysfunctions due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a review of current evidence.
It is reported that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can affect the sense of smell and taste of infected people. The pathobiology of this virus is still incompletely known, and it is therefore important to explore the impact of COVID-19 infections on olfactory and gustatory functions. We aimed to review current evidence on olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions caused by COVID-19. ⋯ The results of our study support recent reports that SARS-CoV-2 may infect oral and nasal tissues and cause olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions. These findings may aid future research on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19 consequences.