Browsing by Author "Vernon, Dominic J."

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    Aerosol and droplet generation from mandible and midface fixation: Surgical risk in the pandemic era
    (Elsevier, 2021-01) Ye, Michael J.; Sharma, Dhruv; Campiti, Vincent J.; Rubel, Kolin E.; Burgin, Sarah J.; Illing, Elisa A.; Ting, Jonathan Y.; Hong Park, Jae; Johnson, Jeffrey D.; Vernon, Dominic J.; Lee, Hui Bae; Nesemeier, B. Ryan; Shipchandler, Taha Z.; Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine
    Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has led to concerns over transmission risk from healthcare procedures, especially when operating in the head and neck such as during surgical repair of facial fractures. This study aims to quantify aerosol and droplet generation from mandibular and midface open fixation and measure mitigation of airborne particles by a smoke evacuating electrocautery hand piece. Materials and methods The soft tissue of the bilateral mandible and midface of two fresh frozen cadaveric specimens was infiltrated using a 0.1% fluorescein solution. Surgical fixation via oral vestibular approach was performed on each of these sites. Droplet splatter on the surgeon's chest, facemask, and up to 198.12 cm (6.5 ft) away from each surgical site was measured against a blue background under ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light. Aerosol generation was measured using an optical particle sizer. Results No visible droplet contamination was observed for any trials of mandible or midface fixation. Total aerosolized particle counts from 0.300–10.000 μm were increased compared to baseline following each use of standard electrocautery (n = 4, p < 0.001) but not with use of a suction evacuating electrocautery hand piece (n = 4, p = 0.103). Total particle counts were also increased during use of the powered drill (n = 8, p < 0.001). Conclusions Risk from visible droplets during mandible and midface fixation is low. However, significant increases in aerosolized particles were measured after electrocautery use and during powered drilling. Aerosol dispersion is significantly decreased with the use of a smoke evacuating electrocautery hand piece.
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    Aerosol and droplet generation from orbital repair: Surgical risk in the pandemic era
    (Elsevier, 2021) Ye, Michael J.; Vadhul, Raghav B.; Sharma, Dhruv; Campiti, Vincent J.; Burgin, Sarah J.; Illing, Elisa A.; Ting, Jonathan Y.; Hong Park, Jae; Koehler, Karl R.; Lee, Hui Bae; Vernon, Dominic J.; Johnson, Jeffrey D.; Nesemeier, B. Ryan; Shipchandler, Taha Z.; Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine
    Introduction The highly contagious COVID-19 has resulted in millions of deaths worldwide. Physicians performing orbital procedures may be at increased risk of occupational exposure to the virus due to exposure to secretions. The goal of this study is to measure the droplet and aerosol production during repair of the inferior orbital rim and trial a smoke-evacuating electrocautery handpiece as a mitigation device. Material and methods The inferior rim of 6 cadaveric orbits was approached transconjunctivally using either standard or smoke-evacuator electrocautery and plated using a high-speed drill. Following fluorescein inoculation, droplet generation was measured by counting under ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light against a blue background. Aerosol generation from 0.300–10.000 μm was measured using an optical particle sizer. Droplet and aerosol generation was compared against retraction of the orbital soft tissue as a negative control. Results No droplets were observed following the orbital approach using electrocautery. Visible droplets were observed after plating with a high-speed drill for 3 of 6 orbits. Total aerosol generation was significantly higher than negative control following the use of standard electrocautery. Use of smoke-evacuator electrocautery was associated with significantly lower aerosol generation in 2 of 3 size groups and in total. There was no significant increase in total aerosols associated with high-speed drilling. Discussion and conclusions Droplet generation for orbital repair was present only following plating with high-speed drill. Aerosol generation during standard electrocautery was significantly reduced using a smoke-evacuating electrocautery handpiece. Aerosols were not significantly increased by high-speed drilling.
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    Impact of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic on the Otolaryngology Fellowship Application Process
    (SAGE Publications, 2020-06-09) Nesemeier, Bradley R.; Lebo, Nicole L.; Schmalbach, Cecelia E.; Barnes, Kaitlyn J.; Vernon, Dominic J.; Ting, Jonathan Y.; Shipchandler, Taha Z.; Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine
    On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 a global pandemic. In addition to massive social disruption, this pandemic affected the traditional fellowship interview season for otolaryngology subspecialties, including head and neck surgical oncology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, laryngology, rhinology, neurotology, and pediatric otolaryngology. The impact on the fellowship interview process, from the standpoint of the institution and the applicant, necessitated the use of alternative interview processes. This change may alter the future of how interviews and the match proceed for years to come, with nontraditional methods of interviewing becoming a mainstay. While the impact this pandemic has on the fellowship match process is not yet fully realized, this commentary aims to discuss the challenges faced on both sides of the equation and to offer solutions during these unprecedented times.