Estrategias para la práctica de la otorrinolaringología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello durante la fase de control de la COVID-19 / Strategies for the practice of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery during the monitoring phase of COVID-19

La aparición de una nueva enfermedad por coronavirus denominada COVID-19 a finales de 2019 y su expansión pandémica en el mundo ha cambiado la práctica habitual de la especialidad de Otorrinolaringología (ORL). Tras una fase de crecimiento exponencial de los contagios, se ha logrado entrar en una fase de control de la expansión de la enfermedad en la que persiste la posibilidad de contagio, pero la aparición de nuevos casos se considera asumible por el sistema sanitario. El objetivo del presente documento es revisar la evidencia disponible y proponer estrategias y recomendaciones para la práctica médico-quirúrgica de la otorrinolaringología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello, que permitan establecer la actividad habitual, adecuando los estándares de seguridad y eficacia a la situación actual. Se requiere, por lo tanto, identificar y clasificar a los pacientes en función de criterios de estado infeccioso-inmunológico, y establecer las recomendaciones de protección en consultas, hospitalización y quirófano, que eviten la transmisión de la enfermedad a otros usuarios y al personal sanitario, en el contexto específico del desarrollo de nuestra especialidad. El presente documento es fruto de la colaboración de las comisiones científicas y del comité COVID-19 de la SEORLCCC

The appearance of a new coronavirus disease called COVID-19 at the end of 2019 and its pandemic expansion in the world has changed the usual practice of the specialty of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT). After a phase of exponential growth of infections, it has been possible to enter a phase of control of the spread of the disease in which the possibility of infection persists, and the appearance of new cases is considered acceptable by the health system. The aim of this document is to review the available evidence and propose strategies and recommendations for the medical-surgical practice of otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery, which allow establishing the usual activity, adapting the safety and efficacy standards to the current situation. Therefore, it is required to identify and classify patients according to criteria of infectious-immunological status, and to establish recommendations for protection in consultations, hospitalization and the operating room, which avoid the transmission of the disease to other users and healthcare personnel, in the specific context of the development of our specialty. This document is the result of the collaboration of all the scientific commissions and the SEORLCCC COVID-19 committee

Strategies for the practice of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery during the monitoring phase of COVID-19. / Estrategias para la práctica de la otorrinolaringología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello durante la fase de control de la COVID-19.

The appearance of a new coronavirus disease called COVID-19 at the end of 2019 and its pandemic expansion in the world has changed the usual practice of the specialty of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT). After a phase of exponential growth of infections, it has been possible to enter a phase of control of the spread of the disease in which the possibility of infection persists, and the appearance of new cases is considered acceptable by the health system. The aim of this document is to review the available evidence and propose strategies and recommendations for the medical-surgical practice of otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery, which allow establishing the usual activity, adapting the safety and efficacy standards to the current situation. Therefore, it is required to identify and classify patients according to criteria of infectious-immunological status, and to establish recommendations for protection in consultations, hospitalization and the operating room, which avoid the transmission of the disease to other users and healthcare personnel, in the specific context of the development of our specialty. This document is the result of the collaboration of all the scientific commissions and the SEORLCCC COVID-19 committee.

[Strategies for the practice of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery during the monitoring phase of COVID-19]. / Estrategias para la práctica de la otorrinolaringología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello durante la fase de control de la COVID-19.

The appearance of a new coronavirus disease called COVID-19 at the end of 2019 and its pandemic expansion in the world has changed the usual practice of the specialty of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT). After a phase of exponential growth of infections, it has been possible to enter a phase of control of the spread of the disease in which the possibility of infection persists, and the appearance of new cases is considered acceptable by the health system.The aim of this document is to review the available evidence and propose strategies and recommendations for the medical-surgical practice of otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery, which allow establishing the usual activity, adapting the safety and efficacy standards to the current situation. Therefore, it is required to identify and classify patients according to criteria of infectious-immunological status, and to establish recommendations for protection in consultations, hospitalization and the operating room, which avoid the transmission of the disease to other users and healthcare personnel, in the specific context of the development of our specialty. This document is the result of the collaboration of all the scientific commissions and the SEORLCCC COVID-19 committee.