Airway Management for Emergent Surgeries during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Zahoor, Muhammad; Haq, Ihtisham Ul

Aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) performed in the operating room during general anesthesia and surgery can contaminate the operation room environment putting the anesthetist, surgeons and paramedical staff at risk of infection with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 has low sensitivity and is time-bound. Emergent surgical cases might not give ample time for SARS-CoV-2 evaluation. These issues have called for adaptation of an anesthesia technique that can ensure safety measures regarding airway management in emergent cases; and can limit the chances of viral spread in case the patient is a carrier of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this communication, we summarised the modifications required in anesthesia technique during intubation and extubation of a patient's airway that would decrease the risk of virus transmission to the operation theatre staff. Key Words: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Emergent surgeries, Anesthesia technique.