Management of ENT Surgical Emergencies Amidst COVID-19 Lockdown: Our Experience in a Tertiary Referral Hospital.

ABSTRACT

To describe our experience with ENT emergencies during lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic and provide recommendations for triage, management and protective measures. Retrospective case series. Eleven patients requiring emergency ENT procedures in a tertiary referral hospital during the lockdown period of 24th March to 3rd May 2020 were identified. Clinical profiles, screening and operating room protocols along with the post-operative care and use of personal protective equipment are described. Nine patients were discharged from the hospital and two were in stable condition in the hospital. While lockdowns may be effective in controlling the transmission of COVID-19, they have a negative impact on the routine functioning of healthcare services. Appropriate protocols for screening, triage and management of non-COVID patients with due precautions and infection control strategies can ensure that emergencies get timely and appropriate attention while preventing spread of infection among patients and healthcare workers.