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Clinical and surgical management of patients with head and neck cancer in a COVID ‐19 dedicated center in Italy
Author(s) -
Galli Jacopo,
Settimi Stefano,
Tricarico Laura,
Almadori Giovanni,
Paludetti Gaetano
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.26263
Subject(s) - medicine , radiological weapon , head and neck cancer , pandemic , throat , covid-19 , head and neck , cancer , general surgery , nose , surgery , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
For the EARs NOSE AND THROAT (ENT) surgeon, there are many challenges that show‐up in the clinical management of a patient affected by a head and neck cancer during COVID‐19 pandemic, especially in the postoperative period. Methods During the acute COVID‐19 emergency phase in Italy, we analyzed the management of a patient affected by a head and neck cancer. We reported several clinical data about the hospitalization period, pointing out the difficulties encountered both from clinical and management point of view. Results During pandemic, we admitted 27 oncological patients at our ENT Department. Delays in surgical procedures, complications of hospitalizations, need for radiological studies, and possible transfer to other hospital ward, due to suspect SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, were registered. Conclusions The changes in the whole health care system during the COVID‐19 pandemic have impacted the management of patients with head and neck cancer, generating several clinical challenges for the ENT surgeon.