Topical preparations to reduce SARS‐CoV ‐2 aerosolization in head and neck mucosal surgery

作者：Harman S. Parhar MD, MPH; Kendall Tasche MD; Robert M. Brody MD; Gregory S. Weinstein MD; Bert W. O'Malley Jr MD; Rabie M. Shanti DMD, MD; Jason G. Newman MD

来源：Head and Neck-Journal for the Sciences and Specialties of the Head and Neck, 2020, 42(6): 1268-1272.

DOI：10.1002/hed.26200

• Coronavirus
• COVID‐19
• Head and neck cancer
• Safety
• SARS‐CoV‐2

AimThe COVID‐19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has put health care workers at risk when exposed to aerosolized viral particles during upper airway mucosal surgery. The objective of this review was to discuss topical preparations that could be utilized preoperatively to help to decrease viral load and potentially reduce the risks of viral transmission.MethodsA PubMed/MEDLINE database review of articles was performed querying topical preparations with virucidal activity against coronaviruses.ResultsPovidone‐iodine (PVP‐I) solutions ranging from 0.23% to 7% have been found to demonstrate highly effective virucidal activity against a broad range of viruses including several coronaviruses responsible for recent epidemics including SARS‐CoV‐1 and MERS‐CoV.ConclusionsWhile specific evidence regarding SARS‐CoV‐2 is lacking, PVP‐I‐based preparations have been successfully demonstrated to reduce viral loads of coronaviruses. They are relatively safe to use in the upper airway and may reduce risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 aerosolization during upper airway mucosal surgery.