Journal Reviews
COVID-19 tracheostomies
This is a review of tracheostomies completed by an OMFS Unit in London from 10 March to 18 May 2020. A total of 176 COVID-19 patients were admitted to intensive care, 72 of which required tracheostomy due to prolonged respiratory...
Persistent symptoms of smell loss after COVID-19 infection
Anosmia as a result of COVID-19 infection is well recognised. This timely and topical French paper looks at 115 patients with proven SARS-CoV-2 infection, who were contacted with specific questions about olfactory and gustatory disturbance. They found 81% of patients...
Dysphagia following intubation during the COVID-19 pandemic
Dysphagia is a known sequela of mechanical ventilation and intubation. About a third of patients discharged from hospital after acute respiratory distress syndrome present with dysphagia. The authors of this review have considered the implications for patients intubated due to...
Safety recommendations for ENT surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic
Physicians and other healthcare workers who perform and participate in examinations and procedures within the head and neck region and airway are at particularly high risk of exposure and infection from aerosol and droplet contamination. Authors have developed recommendations to...
Intranasal steroids in COVID-19
COVID-19 in patients with allergic conditions does not seem to take more severe course. The Global Initiative for Asthma recommended that asthmatic patients who are on prescribed inhaled or oral steroids should continue to take them. Contradictions between guidelines in...
Laryngeal evaluation during COVID-19 using transcervical ultrasonography
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors highlight their protocol of transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography as an alternative to flexible fibreoptic laryngoscopy when appropriate. This is to reduce the risk of aerosolisation posed by laryngoscopy. Ultrasonography is a rapid, non-invasive...
Some guidelines for treating rhinological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
This is a very interesting and informative multinational European guide to the treatment of rhinology patients during the current pandemic, describing the safe delivery of a rhinological service to patients. Much of this has become well understood and standard practice...
