Aerosol and droplet generation from orbital repair: Surgical risk in the pandemic era

Aerosol generation during pediatric otolaryngological procedures

OBJECTIVES

To assess the extent of staff exposure to aerosol generation in common pediatric otorhinolaryngological procedures (tonsillotomies, adenoidectomies, and tympanostomies) and determine the surgical phases responsible for most aerosol generation in these procedures.

METHODS

Aerosol generation was measured during 35 pediatric otolaryngological procedures using an Optical Particle Sizer that measures aerosol concentrations for particle sizes between 0.3 and 10.0 μm. The different phases of and instruments used in each procedure were logged. Operating room background aerosol levels and coughing were used as references.

RESULTS

Total aerosol concentrations were significantly higher during tonsillotomies and adenoidectomies when compared to tympanostomies (p = 0.011 and p = 0.042) and to empty room background aerosol concentrations (p = 0.0057 and p < 0.001). Aerosol concentration during tonsillotomies did not differ from coughing, which is considered as standard for high-risk aerosol procedures. During tympanostomies, aerosol concentrations were even lower than during perioperative concentrations. No statistically significant difference in aerosol generation comparing suction, electrocautery, cold instruments, and paracentesis was found.

CONCLUSION

According to the results of this study, tympanostomies are low-risk aerosol-generating procedures. On the other hand, pediatric tonsillotomies produced aerosols comparable to coughing, pointing to them being significantly aerosol-producing procedures and viral transmission is theoretically possible intraoperatively.

Aerosol and Droplet Generation from Open Rhinoplasty: Surgical Risk in the Pandemic Era

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to concerns over transmission risk from head and neck operations including facial cosmetic surgeries. Objectives: To quantify droplet and aerosol generation from rhinoplasty techniques in a human anatomic specimen model using fluorescein staining and an optical particle sizer. Methods: Noses of human anatomic specimens were infiltrated using 0.1% fluorescein. Droplets and aerosols were measured during rhinoplasty techniques including opening the skin-soft tissue envelope, monopolar electrocautery, endonasal rasping, endonasal osteotomy, and percutaneous osteotomy. Results: No visible droplet contamination was observed for any rhinoplasty techniques investigated. Compared with the negative control of anterior rhinoscopy, total 0.300-10.000 μm aerosols were increased after monopolar electrocautery (p < 0.001) and endonasal rasp (p = 0.003). Opening the skin-soft tissue envelope, endonasal osteotomies, and percutaneous osteotomies did not generate a detectable increase in aerosols (p > 0.15). Discussion and Conclusions: In this investigation, droplets were not observed under ultraviolet light, and aerosol generation was noted only with cautery and endonasal rasping.