A Cost-effective Solution to Limit Aerosol Transmission of Infectious Agents During Mastoid Drilling

To the Editor We read with interest the research letter published online on April 28, 2020, titled “A Simple Technique for Droplet Control During Mastoid Surgery.” Mastoid bone drilling is an aerosol-generating procedure with the potential to transmit infectious agents from the upper aerodigestive tract via the eustachian tube and middle ear. Although there are no coronavirus disease 2019–s pecific data, other studies have found common viruses in the middle ear and nasopharynx. To continue safely with emergency mastoid surgeries and other time-critical surgeries involving mastoid bone drilling during this period, we have also devised a cost-effective solution to limit aerosol transmiss ion to the surgeon and other personnel in the operating room.
Source: JAMA Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research