Walant-Efficient and Safe Technique-Key Treatment in Covid-19 Pandemic

Aim of the study The aim of the study was to confirm the effectiveness and safety of wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique in hand surgery, as well as its necessity and importance during the COVID-19 pandemics. Material and methods A retrospective study was performed between March 2020 and September 2021 to evaluate advantages of WALANT, taking into consideration the rules imposed by the pandemic context. This study included 360 patients, treated for acute and chronic hand diseases. A statistical investigation was performed using SPSS 20.0 version software and applying the ANOVA regression, evaluating demographic, anatomical and surgical variables. Results: 234 males and 126 females, treated for acute hand trauma (metacarpal and phalanx fractures, tendon and nerves lesions) and chronic hand diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) dupuytren's disease (DD), trigger finger (TF), soft tissue and bone tumors. The average patient waiting time from admission in the operating room was 13.95 minutes, while the mean time of onset of local anesthesia was 12.15 minutes. No complications such as distal digital bleeding, hematoma, the necessity of using the antidote, or necrosis occurred, the outcomes were very good and the patient satisfaction high. Conclusions: The WALANT technique can be considered the "gold standard" in hand surgery anesthesia during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a correct and safe surgical treatment in the restrictive conditions imposed by the epidemiological context.

Knowmads as Possible Mutants of Knowledge Workers in the Brave post-COVID World

The purpose of the present study is to capture the specific forces that are intensifying in the COVID-19 context, which stimulate the adaptation of some knowledge workers characteristics into mutated traits - the traits of knowmads. Also, the present study aims at exploring how this transformation is presented in the literature. Defined by John Moravec, the term "knowmad" describes those workers that stand out by being proficient in working with anybody, anywhere, at any time. As an autonomous knowledge worker apt to develop business ecosystems in real, virtual, or hybrid working environments, knowmads are not confined to employees of a single organization. A steady evolution in this respect has been visible for the last decade already. Still, it accelerated during COVID-19 pandemics, due to the global economic crisis. Studies show that the trend will continue to develop in the post-pandemic environment, as the prevalence of flexible, remote work during pandemics has increased from a niche occurrence to a widespread practice over the past nearly two years. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented number of employees worked from remote locations, on flexible schedules, and were not under the direct control of their supervisors. This study aims to explore and capture the main forces powered by COVID-19 pandemics, which stimulated the change of certain knowledge workers characteristics into a mutation towards knowmads characteristics. The authors implemented a critical literature analysis, and a computer-aided bibliometric analysis performed with the help of VOSviewer version 1.6.17 software. Findings demonstrate that the COVID-19 context boosted the transformation of the knowledge workers into knowmads, and the process is not going to end soon. Also, the search performed with VOSviewer shows a significant absence of knowledge concerning the transformation of corporate knowledge workers into self-managed knowmads. © The Authors.

ENDODONTIC APPROACH IN ORAL REHABILITATION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

World wide experience during COVID-19 pandemic disclosed that the endodontic pathology prevailed among all dental emergencies. The endodontist have to handle a large category of patients: COVID-19 positive, either symptomatic or asymptomatic, and unsuspected/nonactive. To minimize the cross-infection risk a rapid and accurate triage is highly asked since the suspected and active patients should be referred to the dedicated dental settings. In stabilized COVID-19 patients it is pivotal to carry out the treatment of endodontic emergencies as much as possible in a definitive and not palliative manner due to the risk of unpredictable worsening of clinical evolution.

SALIVA IN ORAL REHABILITATION AS SPECIMEN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND PREVENTIVE APPROACH DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC ERA

The high infection risk in dental offices during COVID-19 pandemic relies on the crucial role of saliva in supporting viral transmission either by airborne droplets and aerosols or by direct-contact. To avoiding cross-infection in dental setting the specific procedures needs fast salivary detecting tests for early diagnosis of both symptomatic and asymptomatic carrier patients. The use of virucidal oral mouthwashes reduces the viral transmission risk mediated through aerosols and salivary droplets. Prior to oral procedures are recommended 30 seconds oral cavity rinses and 30 seconds gargle in the throat with 9 ml 0.2-0.5 % providone-iodine, 15 ml 1-3% hydrogen peroxide, 15 ml 0.05-0.07% cetylpiridinium chloride or 15 ml 0.12% chlorhexidine.

Covid-19 and the Spanish Flu. From Suffering to Re-silience

This paper is an overview of how the pandemic affected society during the Spanish flu period and its impact on the psychiatric hospitals and asylums of that period. The continuous changes of situations in the context of the current pandemic and the attempt of individuals to adapt led to comparisons between COVID-19 and the Spanish flu of 1918-1919. The progress of medicine and intervention measures are still struggling with the strength of influenza viruses and their ability to spread around the world has grown exponentially. The study analyzes how this new pathology can influence the attitude of individuals towards the disease, their thoughts, emotions and behaviors so as to prevent the onset of symptoms in the field of mental health and contribute to the well-being of the population.