Conclusion
Reducing fluid spread during surgery involving the upper aerodigestive
tract in the COVID-19 era is important for the positive or indeterminate
patient. We introduce the use of a negative pressure system which may be
more efficacious than a simple barrier in minimizing droplet
contamination. Our preliminary findings indicate regional containment of
the fluorescein dye within the housing system and at the smoke evacuator
port. We also identified other potential sources of field contamination
from surgical fomites suggests gentle instrument movements and isolation
of materials removed from the nasal cavity are important.