| Author/Editor | Vozel, Domen; Battelino, Saba | |
| Title | Prilagoditve avdiovestibulološke in otokirurške obravnave med epidemijo covida-19 | |
| Translated title | Adjustments of audiological, vestibular and otosurgical management during COVID-19 epidemics | |
| Type | članek | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 89, št. 11/12 | |
| Publication year | 2020 | |
| Volume | str. 692-701 | |
| ISSN | 1318-0347 - Zdravniški vestnik : glasilo Slovenskega zdravniškega društva : Slovenian medical journal | |
| Language | slv | |
| Abstract | The epidemics of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), caused by SARS-CoV-2 (sudden acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), was declared in Slovenia in mid-March 2020 and significantly influenced the health care system. To retain the spread of COVID-19, significant adjustments were required in medical institutions, including otorhinolaryngology hospitals. Audiological management (i.e. management of hearing disorders), vestibular management (i.e. management of balance disorders) and otosurgical management (i.e. surgical treatment of ear and temporal bone diseases), which pose a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, have also been adjusted. The virus is mostly transmitted through the upper aerodigestive tract, but other modes of transmission are also important. Otosurgical procedures can generate an aerosol which may contain SARS-CoV-2. Also, the otorhinolaryngologist is mostly in direct close contact with the patient%s potentially infectious secretions during the examination and various medical or surgical procedures. This paper aims to present adjustments of audiological, vestibular and otosurgical management during the COVID-19 epidemic, based on our own experience in a tertiary otorhinolaryngological referral institution and that reported in the available literature. The paper presents indications for the above mentioned management and describes some adaptations of otosurgical techniques based on possible modes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. | |
| Keywords | SARS-CoV-2 otološki kirurški poseg medicina v izrednih razmerah SARS-CoV-2 otologic surgical procedure disaster medicine |