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International registry of otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeons with COVID‐19
Author(s) -
Sowerby Leigh J,
Stephenson Kate,
Dickie Alexander,
Lella Federico A. Di,
Jefferson Niall,
North Hannah,
De Siati R. Daniele,
Maunsell Rebecca,
Herzog Michael,
Nandhan Raghu,
Trozzi Marilena,
DehganiMobaraki Puya,
Melkane Antoine,
Callejas Claudio,
Miljeteig Harald,
Smit Diane,
Reynoso Daniel Dibildox,
Moura Joao Eloi,
Hermansson Ann,
Peer Shazia,
Burnell Lisa,
Fakhry Nicolas,
ChiesaEstomba Carlos,
Önerci Çelebi Özlem,
Karpischenko Sergei,
Sobol Steven,
Sargi Zoukaa,
Patel Zara M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international forum of allergy and rhinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.503
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 2042-6984
pISSN - 2042-6976
DOI - 10.1002/alr.22677
Subject(s) - medicine , otorhinolaryngology , etiology , covid-19 , general surgery , pediatrics , surgery , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Background It has become clear that healthcare workers are at high risk, and otolaryngology has been theorized to be among the highest risk specialties for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The purpose of this study was to detail the international impact of COVID‐19 among otolaryngologists, and to identify instructional cases. Methods Country representatives of the Young Otolaryngologists–International Federation of Otolaryngologic Societies (YO‐IFOS) surveyed otolaryngologists through various channels. Nationwide surveys were distributed in 19 countries. The gray literature and social media channels were searched to identify reported deaths of otolaryngologists from COVID‐19. Results A total of 361 otolaryngologists were identified to have had COVID‐19, and data for 325 surgeons was available for analysis. The age range was 25 to 84 years, with one‐half under the age of 44 years. There were 24 deaths in the study period, with 83% over age 55 years. Source of infection was likely clinical activity in 175 (54%) cases. Prolonged exposure to a colleague was the source for 37 (11%) surgeons. Six instructional cases were identified where infections occurred during the performance of aerosol‐generating operations (tracheostomy, mastoidectomy, epistaxis control, dacryocystorhinostomy, and translabyrinthine resection). In 3 of these cases, multiple operating room attendees were infected, and in 2, the surgeon succumbed to complications of COVID‐19. Conclusion The etiology of reported cases within the otolaryngology community appear to stem equally from clinical activity and community spread. Multiple procedures performed by otolaryngologists are aerosol‐generating procedures (AGPs) and great care should be taken to protect the surgical team before, during, and after these operations.