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Commentary on the management of total laryngectomy patients during the COVID ‐19 pandemic
Author(s) -
Hennessy Max,
Bann Darrin V.,
Patel Vijay A.,
Saadi Robert,
Krempl Greg A.,
Deschler Daniel G.,
Goyal Neerav,
Choi Karen Y.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.26183
Subject(s) - laryngectomy , pandemic , medicine , covid-19 , personal protective equipment , otorhinolaryngology , intensive care medicine , health care , medical emergency , disease , surgery , outbreak , virology , larynx , infectious disease (medical specialty) , political science , law
The coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has rapidly spread across the world, placing unprecedented strain on the health care system. Health care resources including hospital beds, ICUs, as well as personal protective equipment are becoming increasingly rationed and scare commodities. In this environment, the laryngectomee (patient having previously undergone a total laryngectomy) continues to represent a unique patient with unique needs. Given their surgically altered airway, they pose a challenge to manage for the otolaryngologist within the current COVID‐19 pandemic. In this brief report, we present special considerations and best practice recommendations in the management of total laryngectomy patients. We also discuss recommendations for laryngectomy patients and minimizing community exposures.