Microsurgical procedures during COVID-19 pandemic: the VITOM® 3D-HD exoscopic system as alternative to the operating microscope to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE)

Purpose: In the field of microsurgery, the use of conventional operating microscope, adopted in several disciplines, is not suitable with the full adoption of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), as goggles and face shields, needing the eyes to be at close contact with oculars. Methods: Herein we present an exoscopic surgical setup, implemented for transoral laser microsurgery, by the VITOM® 3D-HD system. Results: Our proposed exoscopic setting overcomes safety limits of the conventional operating microscope, being suitable with the adoption of full PPE necessary facing with suspected or confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 patients needing urgent microsurgical procedures. Conclusion: The use of protocols to reduce the virus spreading is mandatory to safely treat also patients potentially SARS-CoV-2 infected. The described surgical setup is advisable to manage urgent microsurgical procedures along the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, being applicable PPE necessary to treat potentially or confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.