Back to Search
Start Over
Early practices in endonasal skull base surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: a global survey.
- Source :
-
Neurosurgical focus [Neurosurg Focus] 2020 Dec; Vol. 49 (6), pp. E12. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Objective: During the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) is feared to be a high-risk procedure for the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nonetheless, data are lacking regarding the management of EES during the pandemic. The object of this study was to understand current worldwide practices pertaining to EES for skull base/pituitary tumors during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and provide a basis for the formulation of guidelines.<br />Methods: The authors conducted a web-based survey of skull base surgeons worldwide. Different practices by geographic region and COVID-19 prevalence were analyzed.<br />Results: One hundred thirty-five unique responses were collected. Regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), North America reported using more powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), and Asia and Europe reported using more standard precautions. North America and Europe resorted more to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for screening asymptomatic patients. High-prevalence countries showed a higher use of PAPRs. The medium-prevalence group reported lower RT-PCR testing for symptomatic cases, and the high-prevalence group used it significantly more in asymptomatic cases.Nineteen respondents reported transmission of COVID-19 to healthcare personnel during EES, with a higher rate of transmission among countries classified as having a medium prevalence of COVID-19. These specific respondents (medium prevalence) also reported a lower use of airborne PPE. In the cases of healthcare transmission, the patient was reportedly asymptomatic 32% of the time.<br />Conclusions: This survey gives an overview of EES practices during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Intensified preoperative screening, even in asymptomatic patients, RT-PCR for all symptomatic cases, and an increased use of airborne PPE is associated with decreased reports of COVID-19 transmission during EES.
- Subjects :
- COVID-19 prevention & control
COVID-19 transmission
Humans
Nasal Cavity surgery
Neuroendoscopy methods
Neuroendoscopy standards
Neurosurgeons standards
Neurosurgical Procedures methods
Personal Protective Equipment standards
COVID-19 epidemiology
Global Health standards
Neurosurgical Procedures standards
Practice Guidelines as Topic standards
Skull Base surgery
Surveys and Questionnaires standards
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1092-0684
- Volume :
- 49
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Neurosurgical focus
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33260127
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3171/2020.9.FOCUS20569