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 · Jul 2021
3D-printed simulator for nasopharyngeal swab collection for COVID-19.
Testing for COVID-19 is a cornerstone of pandemic control. If conducted inappropriately, nasopharyngeal swab collection can be painful and preanalytical sample collection errors may lead to false negative results. Our objective was to develop a realistic and easily available synthetic simulator for nasopharyngeal swab collection. ⋯ In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed a nasopharyngeal swab collection simulator which can be produced by 3D printing via an open access link, which offers complete operating instructions.
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Otolaryngologists have had to postpone the majority of surgical procedures in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Airborne transmission, beyond the projection of droplets from upper airways, expose healthcare workers to a risk of viral infection. Aerosol generating procedures (AGP) increase the risk of viral transmission to staff within the operating room. ⋯ The endoscopic approach may reduce the risk of viral transmission to operating room staff by reducing the need for mastoidectomy.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Jun 2021
Meta AnalysisThe effect of dexamethasone on pain control after thyroid surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
The effect of dexamethasone on postoperative pain after thyroid surgery remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of dexamethasone versus placebo on postoperative pain after thyroid surgery. ⋯ Perioperative dexamethasone is effective to reduce the pain, nausea and vomiting after thyroid surgery.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Jun 2021
Multicenter Study Observational StudyOpen versus percutaneous tracheostomy in COVID-19: a multicentre comparison and recommendation for future resource utilisation.
The COVID-19 pandemic placed an unprecedented demand on critical care services for the provision of mechanical ventilation. Tracheostomy formation facilitates liberation from mechanical ventilation with advantages for both the patient and wider critical care resource, and can be performed using both percutaneous dilatational and surgical techniques. We compared outcomes in those patients undergoing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy to those undergoing surgical tracheostomy and make recommendations for provision of tracheostomy services in any future surge. ⋯ In patients with COVID-19 pneumonitis that require tracheostomy to facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation, there was no difference in outcomes between those patients that had percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy compared with those that had surgical tracheostomy. Planning for future surges in COVID-19-related critical care demands should utilise all available resource and expertise.