Performing Laryngotracheobronchial Procedure in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A highly Aerosol Generating Event in Clinical Practice

Abstract

The current novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).COVID-19 is presenting a significant challenges to the surgical specialties specifically otolaryngologists and head and neck specialties those are dealing with upper airway such as larynx, trachea, and bronchus. The traditional airway procedure like microlaryngeal surgery, tracheostomy, and bronchoscopy are highly aerosol generating surgery often managed by otolaryngologists. The laryngotracheobronchial airway has a high viral density and so it is expected to expel more transmission of the infections in COVID-19 pandemic. This is why the otolaryngologists or laryngologists are more vulnerable medical professional in this dreaded pandemic. Surgeons have high risk for getting the infections during examinations or surgical procedure on the laryngotracheobronchial airway. The surgical interventions should adopt adequate precautions to limit the viral dissemination. Effective management of the suspicious or positive cases of COVID-19 required careful consideration for the safety of the surgeons and associated team members for ensuring the best possible care of the patients. This review article will provide an overview of common methods to limit the viral transmission to the otolaryngologists/surgeons and assisting health care staffs from COVID-19 infections during management of the laryngotracheobronchial airway.