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OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to compare video laryngoscopy (VL) vs. direct laryngoscopy (DL) for tracheal intubation in adult patients receiving general anesthesia for elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 150 patients 18-65 years old, ASA I-II (American Society of Anesthesiologists), and negative PCR tests before the operation was scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were subdivided into two groups considering the intubation method: the video laryngoscopy group (Group VL, n=75) and the Macintosh laryngoscopy group (Group ML, n=75). Demographic data, operation type, intubation comfort, and field of view, intubation times, complications were recorded. RESULTS: Both groups' demographic data, complications, and hemodynamic parameters were similar. In Group VL, Cormack-Lehane Scoring values were higher (p<0.001), the field of view was better (p<0.001), and the intubation was more comfortable (p<0.002). The duration for the vocal cord appearance was significantly shorter in the VL group than in the ML group (7.55±1.00 vs. 8.31±2.20 sec, p=0.008, respectively). The beginning of intubation to full ventilation of the lungs was significantly shorter in the VL group than the ML group (12.71±2.72 vs. 17.48±6.8, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Using VL in endotracheal intubation may be more reliable in reducing intervention times and the risk of suspected transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed at investigating the impacts of demographic, hematological, and biochemical factors on the clinical course and the prognostic outcome in adult COVID-19 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was performed in the internal medicine departments of two hospitals, and data were extracted from the medical files of 1,700 adult COVID-19 patients (836 females, 49.2%; 864 males, 50.8%) with an average age of 48.23 ± 16.68 (range: 18-93). Clinical data included baseline descriptives, prior medical history, admission date, treatment, and hematological and biochemical blood test results. The relationship between the survival, length of hospitalization, hematological, and biochemical parameters was investigated. RESULTS: Advanced age (p<0.001), presence of at least on comorbid disease (p=0.045), increased length of hospitalization (p=0.006), elevated white blood cell (p=0.001) and neutrophil (p=0.002) counts, increased serum levels of glucose (p=0.027), blood urea nitrogen (p<0.001), AST (p=0.006), LDH (p<0.001), CRP (p>0.001), and D-dimer (p=0.001). In contrast, diminution of serum levels of albumin (p<0.001), ALT (p=0.028), calcium (p=0.022), and platelet count (p=0.010) were associated with increased mortality. There was a positive and weak relationship between serum D-dimer levels and length of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Our data imply that identifying and validating indicators that predict COVID-19 disease progression to improve health outcomes is crucial. Age, comorbidities, immunological response, radiographic abnormalities, laboratory markers, and signs of organ dysfunction may all predict poor outcomes individually or collectively. Identifying characteristics that predict COVID-19 problems is critical to guiding clinical management, improving patient outcomes, and allocating limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]