The clinical manifestation of novel COVID-19 is variable. Pre-existing carcinoma and other comorbidities have been associated with increased COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. Surgical intervention for advanced laryngeal carcinoma in old age during the COVID-19 pandemic may pose multiple challenges to the patient and the treatment team. We report a case of a 67-year-old elderly man who developed SARS-CoV-2 infection on the 21st day following total laryngectomy and neck dissection. The postoperative period was complicated by sequential development of pulmonary embolism, neck infection, pharyngeal leak and COVID-19 which were managed successfully. No close contacts were positive on the reverse transcription-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. The patient is in follow-up for the past 7 months without any recurrence or COVID-19-related morbidity. The successful recovery and no cross-infection may be attributed to early diagnosis, immediate intervention and properly implemented institutional infection control policy.
Keywords: COVID-19; head and neck cancer.
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