Recommendations from the Italian Society of Otolaryngology for clinical management during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has deeply impacted health, and affects many different medical specialties. Head and neck surgeons, in particular, have been recognised as one of the professionals at the highest risk of infection through aerosol-generating procedures as part of their usual job. The aim of this document is to review the current literature on the topic, to provide useful recommendations to avoid both healthcare staff exposure to contagion and the delay in the diagnosis and treatment of Head and Neck diseases, in this new phase of COVID-19 pandemic.