Orbital decompression during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A shared experience

Abstract

povidone-iodine EN COVID-19 infection control orbital decompression povidone-iodine 176 177 2 02/18/21 20210401 NES 210401 B Letter to the editor b Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS COV-2 was first identified in Wuhan, China, and due to its high transmission power, it quickly spread to other countries.[1]Since the load of virus in the nasal cavity, sinuses, and nasolacrimal system is high, virus shedding from sinonasal cavity and nasolacrimal duct is one of the important routes of disease transmission.[2]Oculoplastic surgeons are at high risk for infection during orbital decompression due to direct contact with the ocular surface, nasolacrimal system, and sinonasal cavities.[3] Since no definitive treatment has been introduced for COVID-19, prevention and reduction of the risk of disease transmission is the most important way to prevent infection.[3] For this reason, in the oculoplasty department of Feiz Ophthalmology Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, we implement a special protocol for patients who are candidates for orbital decompression, which is based on our experience and existing guidelines for surgery during COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, orbital decompression surgery should be limited to urgent cases, and the use of PVP-I solution before and during surgery can be one of the ways to reduce disease transmission. A surgical protocol to mitigate the SARS-CoV-2 transmission using multifocal povidone-iodine applications in lacrimal surgeries during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.