SARS-CoV-2, surgeons and surgical masks

paythelady.612 shared this article with you from Inoreader SARS-CoV-2, surgeons and surgical masks Μέσω pubmed: "world j clin cases"... World J Clin Cases. 2021 Apr 6;9(10):2170-2180. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i10.2170. ABSTRACT The exact risk association of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for surgeons is not quantified which may be affected by their risk of exposure and individual factors. The objective of this review is to quantify the risk of COVID-19 among surgeons, and explore whether facemask can minimise the risk of COVID-19 among surgeons. A systematised review was carried out by searching MEDLINE to locate items on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or COVID-19 in relation to health care workers (HCWs) especially those work in surgical specialities including surgical nurses and intensivists. Additionally, systematic reviews that assessed the effectiveness of facemask against viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19, among HCWs were identified. Data from identified articles were abstracted, synthesised and summarised. Fourteen primary studi es that provided data on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection or experience among surgeons and 11 systematic reviews that provided evidence of the effectiveness of facemask (and other personal protective equipment) were summarised. Although the risk of COVID-19 could not be quantified precisely among surgeons, about 14% of HCWs including surgeons had COVID-19, there could be variations depending on settings. Facemask was found to be somewhat protective against COVID-19, but the HCWs' compliance was highly variable ranging from zero to 100%. Echoing surgical societies' guidelines we continue to recommend facemask use among surgeons to prevent COVID-19. PMID:33869593 | PMC:PMC8026839 | DOI:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i10.2170 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.