Open AccessFlexible Laryngoscopy and COVID‐19
Author(s) -
Rameau Anaïs,
Young VyVy N.,
Amin Milan R.,
Sulica Lucian
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599820921395
Subject(s) - laryngoscopy , medicine , otorhinolaryngology , laryngology , pandemic , covid-19 , larynx , personal protective equipment , medical emergency , endoscope , intensive care medicine , intubation , general surgery , surgery , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Flexible laryngoscopy, the gold‐standard evaluation of the larynx and the pharynx, is one of the most commonly performed procedures in otolaryngology. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, flexible laryngoscopy represents a risk for patients and an occupational hazard for otolaryngologists and any clinic staff involved with the procedure or endoscope reprocessing. Here we present a set of recommendations on flexible laryngoscopy performance during the pandemic, including patient selection, personal protective equipment, and endoscope disinfection, based on a consensus reached during a virtual webinar on March 24, 2020, attended by approximately 300 participants from the American laryngology community.