key: cord-0992454-v4x0gaqc
authors: Yu, Kimberley; Wei, Jun-Min; Li, Da-Qing; Fang, Yuxin
title: Otorhinolaryngology, head and surgery practice during the COVID-19 pandemic
date: 2020-06-06
journal: World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg
DOI: 10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.06.001
sha: 37a741879452f7aee36b67216c7a0e1f4c60baba
doc_id: 992454
cord_uid: v4x0gaqc

nan

Otorhinolaryngology, head and surgery practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, causing the disease COVID-19, has to-date infected more than four million individuals worldwide. Spread occurs primarily via respiratory droplets. Once infected, patients present with a spectrum of severity, from asymptomatic illness to severe pneumonia causing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). COVID-19's mode of transmission and symptoms have important implications for the field of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery. These include the importance of airway management and respiratory droplet precautions during otorhinolaryngology, head and neck procedures. Additionally, COVID-19 has been found to present with unique symptoms within the domains of our practice, such as anosmia and dysgeusia.

In this special issue, our colleagues from around the world review and present their findings on the implications of COVID-19 for otorhinolaryngology. We include publications by several authors from Wuhan, China, where the unique symptoms and management needs for COVID-19 were first reported, as well as the U.S., where the outbreak is still actively ongoing and where the largest number of cases have been confirmed.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus poses several hazards for the practice of otorhinolaryngology due to its droplet-based mode of transmission. Otolaryngologists may be at higher risk than their colleagues of contracting SARS-CoV-2, with explanations including high viral load in the nasal cavities and frequent use of aerosolizing procedures. It is important for otorhinolaryngologists to take special precautions in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Three groups from the major medical centers in Wuhan, China, report on their methods to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the department of otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgery during the early outbreak of the pandemic. Xu used big data methods to analyze the online search volume of symptom keywords during the initial COVID-19 outbreak in Hubei province. In doing so, they were able to better characterize COVID-19's presentation, such as a higher prevalence of lower respiratory symptoms and diarrhea in comparison with other common respiratory infections.

We hope that these articles will bring the reader new insights on how COVID-19 has impacted otorhinolaryngologyhead and neck surgery, so that better protocols can be put in place to recognize, treat, and prevent transmission of COVID-19 as the pandemic continues to unfold. 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  37  38  39  40  41  42  43  44  45  46  47  48  49  50  51  52  53  54  55  56  57  58  59  60  61 

Otorhinolaryngology, head and surgery practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

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