Laura K Reed1,2, Jun Wen3, Buqing Liang1,2, Xiangyu Wang3, Dongxia Feng1,2, Jason H Huang1,2. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center , Temple, TX, USA. 2. Department of Surgery, Texas A&M University College of Medicine , Temple, TX, USA. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University , Guangzhou, China.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic poses a substantial threat to the health of healthcare personnel on the front line of caring for COVID-19 patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services previously announced that all non-essential planned surgeries and procedures should be postponed until further notice and only urgent procedures should proceed. METHODS: We share our experiences with safely performing neurosurgical procedures on confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients, to aide other neurosurgical teams in preparing for these high-risk cases, especially for neurosurgical interventions which are essential at saving a life or preserving functioning of the central nervous system that cannot be delayed. Perioperative and intraoperative strategies, considerations, as well as challenges arisen under the specific circumstance have been discussed: the hospital should be equipped with negative pressure areas and multiple areas to quarantine positive patients; the operating rooms should be negative pressure or have HEPA-filtration systems in place; all healthcare personnel who immediately participate in neurosurgical interventions for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients should take airborne precautions and wear enhanced personal protective equipment. RESULTS: Successful management of neurosurgical emergencies without healthcare personnel infection has been achieved during this pandemic crisis. CONCLUSION: Following the proposed guidance, urgent neurosurgical surgeries and procedures can be safely performed for the benefit of critical patients with or suspected for COVID-19.
INTRODUCTION: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic poses a substantial threat to the health of healthcare personnel on the front line of caring for COVID-19patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services previously announced that all non-essential planned surgeries and procedures should be postponed until further notice and only urgent procedures should proceed. METHODS: We share our experiences with safely performing neurosurgical procedures on confirmed and suspected COVID-19patients, to aide other neurosurgical teams in preparing for these high-risk cases, especially for neurosurgical interventions which are essential at saving a life or preserving functioning of the central nervous system that cannot be delayed. Perioperative and intraoperative strategies, considerations, as well as challenges arisen under the specific circumstance have been discussed: the hospital should be equipped with negative pressure areas and multiple areas to quarantine positive patients; the operating rooms should be negative pressure or have HEPA-filtration systems in place; all healthcare personnel who immediately participate in neurosurgical interventions for confirmed and suspected COVID-19patients should take airborne precautions and wear enhanced personal protective equipment. RESULTS: Successful management of neurosurgical emergencies without healthcare personnel infection has been achieved during this pandemic crisis. CONCLUSION: Following the proposed guidance, urgent neurosurgical surgeries and procedures can be safely performed for the benefit of critical patients with or suspected for COVID-19.
Authors: Juan Silvestre G Pascual; Katrina Hannah D Ignacio; Michelle Regina L Castillo; Kathleen Joy O Khu Journal: World Neurosurg Date: 2021-12-11 Impact factor: 2.104
Authors: Giorgio Fiore; Luigi Gianmaria Remore; Leonardo Tariciotti; Giorgio Giovanni Carrabba; Luigi Schisano; Mauro Pluderi; Giulio Andrea Bertani; Stefano Borsa; Marco Locatelli Journal: World Neurosurg Date: 2021-06-22 Impact factor: 2.104