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Course: Assessing the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission via Surgical Electrocautery Plume

CME Credits: 1.00

Released: 2021-05-21

Live severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has been detected in saliva, sputum, bile, feces, and blood and shown to remain viable in aerosols for at least 3 hours., As such, direct transmission to surgical staff from aerosolized virus in an electrocautery plume (as observed with other viruses) has been raised by several colleges and associations as a particular safety concern., Cautery performed in areas of high potential viral load in particular (eg, the nasopharynx, oropharynx, anterior skull base, lung parenchyma) could pose a risk to those in the operating room. Furthermore, sinonasal pathologies can mimic the symptom profile of COVID-19 and have been documented to contribute to false-negative nasopharyngeal screening results, further increasing potential perioperative risk and exposure.


Educational Objective
To identify the key insights or developments described in this article


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