BACKGROUND It has become clear that healthcare workers are at high risk, and otolaryngology has been theorized to be among the highest risk specialties for COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to detail the international impact of COVID-19 among otolaryngologists, and to identify instructional cases. METHODS Country representatives of the Young Otolaryngologists - International Federation of Otolaryngologic Societies (YO-IFOS) surveyed otolaryngologists through various channels. Nationwide surveys were distributed in 19 countries. The grey literature and social media channels were searched to identify reported deaths of otolaryngologists from COVID-19. RESULTS A total of 361 otolaryngologists were identified to have had COVID-19, and data for 325 surgeons was available for analysis. The age range was 25 to 84, with half under the age of 44. There were 24 deaths in the study period, with 83% over age 55. Source of infection was likely clinical activity in 175 (54%) cases. Prolonged exposure to a colleague was the source for 37 (11%) surgeons. Six instructional cases were identified where infections occurred during the performance of aerosol-generating operations (tracheostomy, mastoidectomy, epistaxis control, dacryocystorhinostomy and translabyrinthine resection). In three of these cases, multiple operating room attendees were infected, and in two, the surgeon succumbed to complications of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS The etiology of reported cases within the otolaryngology community appear to stem equally from clinical activity and community spread. Multiple procedures performed by otolaryngologists are aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) and great care should be taken to protect the surgical team before, during, and after these operations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
International Registry of Otolaryngologist - Head and Neck Surgeons with COVID-19.