Post-operative procedures
Before the epidemic of new coronavirus infection, once the surgical and anesthesiological procedure was over, the patients were usually transferred to the recovery room to continue the post-operative assistance. To avoid overcrowding of multiple patients, during the COVID-19 emergency phase, the single patient was monitored in the post-operative period in a reserved room adjacent to the operating room, under the supervision of the anesthesiology specialist and then was transferred at the ENT inpatient clinic. During the post-operative stay, all patients were assisted at ENT department using special precaution for patients with temporary or permanent tracheostomy, considering the heightened risk of viral transmission 10. On the basis of the definitive histological examination, all oncological clinical cases were newly discussed by the weekly virtual multidisciplinary tumor board to define the eventual adjuvant therapy plan and the follow up procedures.