Major head and neck reconstruction during the <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 pandemic: The University of Pittsburgh approach
Viran J. Ranasinghe, Leila J. Mady, Seungwon Kim, Robert L. Ferris, Umamaheswar Duvvuri, Jonas T. Johnson, Mario G. Solari, Shaum Sridharan, Mark Kubik
Abstract
The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created significant challenges to the delivery of care for patients with advanced head and neck cancer requiring multimodality therapy. Performing major head and neck ablative surgery and reconstruction is a particular concern given the extended duration and aerosolizing nature of these cases. In this manuscript, we describe our surgical approach to provide timely reconstructive care and minimize infectious risk to the providers, patients, and families.
Topics & Concepts
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Pandemic2019-20 coronavirus outbreakHead and neckSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Head (geology)MedicineGerontologyVirologySurgeryBiologyInternal medicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakPaleontologyDiseaseCOVID-19 and healthcare impactsSurgical site infection preventionTrauma and Emergency Care Studies