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Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and COVID-19

Educational Objective
To understand how COVID-19 is affecting the field of otolaryngology
1 Credit CME

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a particularly large influence on the specialty of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. Molecular studies implicate nasal epithelial cells, specifically goblet and ciliated cells, as the entry site for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and a reservoir for dissemination within a given patient and from person to person. The development of acute loss of smell and taste was quickly recognized as one of the symptoms of COVID-19.1 Thus, otolaryngologists were placed in the front line of management and risk exposure for COVID-19. Now, reports of various acute and chronic neuropathies in patients with COVID-19 disease support the continued involvement by otolaryngologists.

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Article Information

Corresponding Author: Jay F. Piccirillo, MD, Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, 660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110 (piccirij@wustl.edu).

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported.

References
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2.
Khariwala  SS , Weinreich  HM , McCoul  ED ,  et al.  Leveraging COVID-19–inspired changes to advance otolaryngology—here to stay.   JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(7):605-607. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.1188PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref
3.
Chan  JYK , Wong  EWY , Lam  W .  Practical aspects of otolaryngologic clinical services during the 2019 novel coronavirus epidemic: an experience in Hong Kong.   JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(6):519-520. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.0488PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref
4.
Carron  JD , Buck  LS , Harbarger  CF , Eby  TL .  A simple technique for droplet control during mastoid surgery.   JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(7):671-672. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.1064PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref
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Bertroche  JT , Pipkorn  P , Zolkind  P , Buchman  CA , Zevallos  JP .  Negative-pressure aerosol cover for COVID-19 tracheostomy.   JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(7):672-674. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.1081PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref
6.
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Levy  JM .  Treatment recommendations for persistent smell and taste dysfunction following COVID-19—the coming deluge.   JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online July 2, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.1378PubMedGoogle Scholar
10.
Givi  B , Schiff  BA , Chinn  SB ,  et al.  Safety recommendations for evaluation and surgery of the head and neck during the COVID-19 pandemic.   JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(6):579-584. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.0780PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref
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