Table 1.

Priority of otologic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic

Priority: urgent

Life-threatening ear disease or related complications

Priority: within 48 to 72 h

Acute mastoiditis not responding to maximal medical treatment

Acute mastoiditis with subperiosteal abscess

Cranial and intracranial complications of cholesteatoma

Barotrauma with evident perilymph fistula and SNHL

Trauma to facial nerve, pinna

Vestibular schwannoma with brainstem compression event

Priority: within 4 weeks

Cochlear implantation for SNHL because of meningitis

Otologic neoplasia; awaiting decision of multidisciplinary team (MDT)

Priority: within 12 weeks

May seem safe for

Cholesteatoma, uncomplicated and stable

Cochlear implantation for pre-lingual profound SNHL

Implantable hearing aids

Non-life-threatening lesions requiring neurotologic procedures

Ossiculoplasty, stapedoplasty, meatoplasty, tympanoplasty