The new paradigms in the time of care to patients with head and neck cancer during the Covid-19 pandemic: a literature review / Os novos paradigmas no tempo de atendimento em pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço durante a pandemia Covid-19: revisão de literatura

Introduction: SARS-CoV2 is a worldwide health threat, which has as its main risk group patients with head and neck cancer. In the time being and in the chance of an emerging second wave of infection, a new protocol based on when to treat patients with head and neck cancer must be implemented. Aim: Reporting the handling protocols for patients with head and neck cancer, facilitating the clinician's decision in the pandemic scenario. Materials and Methods: A bibliographic search was performed in PubMed. A search strategy with descriptors was applied to the database, aiming at reaching scientific articles. The articles reached in such database had their titles and abstracts read in search for the adequacy to the objective proposed. Only scientific articles published between De-cember 1st 2019, and July 10th 2020, were chosen. There was no restriction either on country or language. Literature review: New protocols were created based on the type and stage of cancer, classifying them in order to identify the ideal time to operate safely. Thus, the protocol has levels from initial to advanced, where the initial level comprises benign neoplasms, skin cancers smaller than 2 mm and cases in asymptomatic early stages, and the advanced level comprises malignant, aggressive neoplasms, with painful symptoms and/or that are compromising the other systems and organs. Conclusion: It is necessary to follow the detailed care protocol to guide the progress of head and neck cancer services, by operating patients immediately or postponing surgery, depending on the case and seriousness.

Introdução: O novo coronavirus SARS-CoV2 é uma ameaça de saúde mundial que tem como um de seus principais grupo de risco os pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço. Na atual conjuntura e em caso de uma segunda onda de infecção, há necessidade de um novo protocolo de quando tratar esses pacientes. Objetivo: Relatar os protocolos de manejo e atendimento dos pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço, facilitando a decisão do clínico no cenário de pandemia. Materiais e Métodos: Uma busca bibliográfica foi realizada no PubMed. Uma estratégia de busca com descritores foi aplicada, onde os artigos alcançados tiveram seus títulos e resumos lidos em busca da adequação ao objetivo proposto. Foram selecionados artigos científicos publicados entre 1 de dezembro de 2019 e 10 de julho de 2020, sem restrição de país ou idioma. Revisão da literatura: Novos protocolos foram criados baseados no tipo e estágio de câncer, classificando-os para saber o momento ideal de intervir com segurança. O protocolo se dá em níveis de inicial ao avançado onde o inicial compreende as neoplasias benignas, ou seja, cânceres de pele menores de 2 mm e casos em estágios iniciais assintomáticos, e o nível avançado compreende neoplasias malignas, agressivas, com sintomatologia dolorosa e/ou que estejam comprometendo os outros sistemas e órgãos. Conclusão: Há necessidade de seguir o protocolo de atendimento detalhado que norteie o andamento dos serviços oncológicos de cabeça e pescoço, atendendo os pacientes imediatamente ou adiando o tratamento dependendo do caso e severidade.

Personnel Protective Equipment: Forgotten Protocol, Invigorated by COVID-19

Abstract Objective: To make the readers cognizant about the use of Personnel Protective Equipment (PPEs) and infection control practices which should always form a part of basic patient management and not arise with every emerging disease. Material and Methods: Authors personal clinical experiences and existing literature were summed up to infer relevant information related specifically to dentistry. A comprehensive review was done for the last 15 years in an attempt to explain the current state of understanding on the topic. Results: The authors have tried to compile the most probable reasons as to why PPEs have been a forgotten protocol, which can be enumerated as follows: decreased awareness, financial issues, boredom and lethargy, time constraints, unavailability, carelessness, and burnout due to long procedure and patient feeling discomfort/offended. Conclusion: COVID-19 being highly infectious, a dental clinic is a potential and genuine point of source for many new infections, and no confabulation is less to underline the importance of using PPEs during this pandemic or even otherwise.

Pacientes especiais e seu atendimento na odontologia / Dental care for Handicapped Patient

O autor descreve o tratamento e o manejo dos pacientes especiais, enfatizando a prevençäo e os mecanismos de controle desses pacientes