CSF Rhinorrhea After Endonasal Intervention to the Skull Base (CRANIAL) ? Part 2: Impact of COVID-19

-BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, concerns have been raised regarding the increased risk of perioperative mortality for patients with COVID-19, and the transmission risk to healthcare workers, especially during endonasal neurosurgical operations. The Pituitary Society has produced recom-mendations to guide management during this era. We sought to assess contemporary neurosurgical practice and the effects of COVID-19. -METHODS: A multicenter prospective observational cohort study was conducted at 12 tertiary neurosurgical -nits (United Kingdom and Ireland). Data were collected from March 23 to July 31, 2020, inclusive. The data points collected included patient demographics, preoperative COVID-19 test results, operative modifications, and 30-day COVID-19 infection rates. -RESULTS: A total of 124 patients were included. Of the 124 patients, 116 (94%) had undergone COVID-19 testing preoperatively (transsphenoidal approach, 97 of 105 [92%]; expanded endoscopic endonasal approach, 19 of 19 [100%]). One patient (1 of 116 [0.9%]) had tested positive for COVID-19 preoperatively, requiring a delay in surgery until the infection had been confirmed as resolved. Other than transient diabetes insipidus, no other complications were reported for this patient. All operating room staff had worn at least level 2 personal protective equipment. Adapta-tions to surgical techniques included minimizing drilling, draping modifications, and the use of a nasal iodine wash. At 30 days postoperatively, no evidence of COVID-19 infection (symptoms or positive formal testing results) were found in our cohort and no mortality had occurred. -CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative screening protocols and operative modifications have facilitated endonasal neuro-surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Pituitary Society guidelines followed for most of these operations. We found no evidence of COVID-19 infection in our cohort and no mortality, supporting the use of risk mitigation strategies to continue endonasal neurosurgery in subse-quent pandemic waves.

Automated summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, preoperative screening protocols and operative modifications have facilitated endonasal neurosurgery, following the guidelines of the Pituitary Society. The study found no evidence of COVID-19 infection in the cohort and no mortality at 30 days postoperatively, supporting the use of risk mitigation strategies for future pandemic waves.