key: cord-0801018-xcip6foo
authors: Kim, Jee‐Woo; Huh, Chang‐Hun; Mun, Je‐Ho
title: Transparent film as an alternative to face mask for decreasing the risk of coronavirus disease transmission during head and neck surgery
date: 2021-03-25
journal: Dermatol Ther
DOI: 10.1111/dth.14945
sha: 1d3671ae0b1b76657f4caa6da840669430ee1bda
doc_id: 801018
cord_uid: xcip6foo

nan

risk of transmission owing to the long operation time. 4 Therefore, surgical teams should use personal protective equipment with an appropriate ventilation system. However, patients with skin cancers on the face cannot maintain their masks during surgery, which poses a significant risk of viral transmission through the mouth by speaking or coughing.

We present a simple and beneficial pearl using a transparent film for reducing COVID-19 transmission during surgery.

MMS was performed in a patient with a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on the nose. As the face mask obscured the surgical field, it was F I G U R E 1 A, Basal cell carcinoma on the nose of the female patient. B, A face mask cannot be maintained during surgery, as it interferes with sterilization and securement of the surgical field. A sterile transparent film was applied on the mouth after aseptic skin preparation to prevent droplet transmission from speech or coughing during surgery. C, It was maintained throughout the surgery. After wound dressing, the film was replaced with a sanitary mask. D, Basal cell carcinoma on the nose of the male patient. A face mask was replaced with a transparent film to prevent droplet transmission from speech or coughing during surgery. E, The transparent film was attached to the mouth after aseptic skin preparation and maintained during the Mohs micrographic surgery. F, After the reconstruction of the surgical defect, it was replaced with a sanitary mask Dermatologic Therapy Journal is partnering with IMCASAcademy.com to bring you the best of IMCAS Alert, the online service that allows physicians to submit their difficult clinical cases and complications for quick advice from international experts.

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