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. 2023 Oct;43(5):352-359.
doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N2452. Epub 2023 Jul 28.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric otolaryngology: a nationwide study

Eleonora M C Trecca  1   2 , Michele Gaffuri  1   3   4 , Giulia Molinari  1   5   6 , Francesca Yoshie Russo  1   7 , Mario Turri-Zanoni  1   8 , Andrea Albera  1   9 , Antonella Miriam di Lullo  1   10 , Gennaro Russo  11   12 , Giuditta Mannelli  11   13 , Massimo Ralli  1   7 ; Task Force of the Young Otolaryngologists of the Italian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Collaborators, Affiliations

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric otolaryngology: a nationwide study

Eleonora M C Trecca et al. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2023 Oct.

Abstract
in English, Italian

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly modified the work routine in healthcare; however, its impact on the field of paediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) has been rarely investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on paediatric ORL.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed by the Young Otolaryngologists of the Italian Society of ORL-Head and Neck Surgery (GOS). The questionnaire consisted of 26 questions related to workplace and personal paediatric ORL activities. The link was advertised on the official social media platforms and sent by e-mail to 469 Italian otolaryngologists.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 118 responders. During the pandemic, the main reduction was observed for surgical activity (78.8%), followed by outpatient service (16.9%). The conditions that were mostly impacted by a delayed diagnosis were respiratory infections in 45.8% of cases and sensorineural hearing loss in 37.3% of cases.

Conclusions: Paediatric ORL was highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant reduction of surgical and outpatient activities and a delay in time-sensitive diagnosis. Therefore, the implementation of new strategies, such as telemedicine, is recommended.

Impatto della pandemia COVID-19 sull’otorinolaringoiatria pediatrica.

Obiettivo: L’impatto della pandemia COVID-19 sul settore dell’otorinolaringoiatria (ORL) pediatrica è stato poco studiato. Lo scopo di questa ricerca è stato, pertanto, quello di valutare l’impatto del COVID-19 sull’ORL pediatrica, concentrandosi sulle differenze con il periodo precedente la pandemia.

Metodi: Un questionario composto da 26 domande relative alle attività lavorative è stato sviluppato dal Gruppo Giovani della Società Italiana di ORL e Chirurgia Cervico-facciale (GOS). Il link è stato diffuso sui social media della società e inviato via e-mail a 469 otorinolaringoiatri.

Risultati: Il questionario è stato compilato da 118 otorinolaringoiatri. Durante la pandemia, la principale riduzione è stata osservata per l’attività chirurgica (78,8%), seguita dal servizio ambulatoriale (16,9%). Le condizioni maggiormente colpite da una diagnosi ritardata sono state le infezioni respiratorie nel 45,8% e l’ipoacusia neurosensoriale nel 37,3%.

Conclusioni: L’ORL pediatrica è stata influenzata dalla pandemia COVID-19 con una riduzione statisticamente significativa delle attività chirurgiche e ambulatoriali. Molte diagnosi che necessitano di un trattamento tempestivo sono state differite. Pertanto, si raccomanda di implementare nuove strategie, come la telemedicina.

Keywords: COVID-19; adenoidectomy; children; paediatric otolaryngology; tonsillectomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Number of outpatient procedures performed during pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 time. A significant reduction of total procedures was found during pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (p = 0.0002).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Number of surgical procedures performed during pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 time. A significant reduction of total procedures was found during pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (p < 0.0001).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Number of outpatient procedures requiring fibreoptic evaluation performed individually by responders during pre-COVID-19) and during COVID-19 time. A significant reduction of total procedures was found during pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (p = 0.0003).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Number of surgical procedures (day surgery) performed individually by responders during pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 time. A significant reduction of total procedures was found during pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (p < 0.0001).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Number of surgical procedures (ordinary surgery) performed individually by responders during pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 time. A significant reduction of total procedures was found during pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (p = 0.0016).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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