Reusable respirators as personal protective equipment during ENT surgery

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Infectious Disease Control
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Head and neck surgeons require robust personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• Aerosol-generating procedures pose a significant risk to surgical teams during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the collective experience of using reusable half-face respirators in head and neck surgery across three institutions.
• To assess the financial viability of reusable respirators compared to disposable alternatives.

Main Methods:

• A cost analysis was conducted comparing reusable half-face respirators with single-use filtering facepiece code 3 masks.
• Data were collected from 72 head and neck surgery cases.

Main Results:

• Reusable respirators were found to be a financially advantageous option.
• The study demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of reusable respirators over disposable masks.

Conclusions:

• Reusable half-face respirators represent a cost-effective alternative to disposable filtering facepiece code 3 masks for head and neck surgeons.
• Providing individual reusable respirators can improve consistent access to appropriate PPE for surgical staff.
• Implementing reusable respirators enhances safety protocols in surgical settings during infectious disease outbreaks.