Robotic Surgery in Otolaryngology During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Safer Approach?

The COVID-19 outbreak was announced a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. The contagious nature of this virus to spread through droplets, puts the ENT surgeon at an added risk of exposure and infection, particularly while performing various aerosol generating procedures of the oral cavity and upper airway. While it is being recommended worldwide to postpone all elective surgeries to a later date, certain emergency procedures must be undertaken promptly but in a manner that minimizes the exposure of the surgeon and health care staff to the SARS-CoV-2. This article is meant to provide an insight into the possible role of robotic surgery in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck during the Covid-19 pandemic along with providing a brief review of its pros and cons.