Otolaryngology Consultations for COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Indications, Interventions, and Considerations.

Objective: To identify differences in inpatient otolaryngology consultations and interventions for patients based on COVID-19.Methods: Records were reviewed for all patients for whom otolaryngology was consulted at a high-volume tertiary care hospital from April 30, 2020 to October 1, 2020. Demographic information, length of stay, COVID-19 status, indication for consultation, and otolaryngology interventions were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using R software.Results: Bleeding composed a significantly higher proportion of otolaryngology consults in COVID-19 positive patients (28% vs. 8.4%, p < 0.0001). Management of bleeding was the most common procedure performed in positive patients (n = 37, 35%), and they had a higher median number of interventions performed when compared to bleeding patients who tested negative (1, IQR 1-2 vs. 1, IQR 0-1, p = 0.04). COVID-19 positive patients with bleeding were more likely to expire than those with other indications for otolaryngology consultation (50% vs. 7%, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Bleeding and associated interventions comprised the predominant discrepancy between COVID-19 positive and negative patients in our cohort. We encourage routine use of simple and cost-effective methods to decrease risk of bleeding. (c) 2022 Japanese Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.