The clinical consequences of the COVID‐19 lockdown: A report from an Italian referral ENT department

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical effects of health care reorganization because of COVID‐19, in a non‐red zone Italian referral department of Otorhinolaryngology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the statistics of admissions to the Emergency Department (ED) of the Careggi University Hospital, Florence, from January 1, 2020, to May 17, 2020. Data regarding elective and urgent head and neck disorders were reviewed and the most challenging cases were discussed. RESULTS: During the lockdown period, outpatient otolaryngological consultations and elective procedures decreased by 78% and 75% respectively, while emergency/urgency surgery increased by 128%. The five most emblematic clinical cases were thoroughly analyzed. CONCLUSION: Our analysis shows how the profound rearrangement of clinical and surgical activities, along with the citizens' fear to seek medical care has probably exacerbated the management of many routine head and neck conditions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.