Open AccessCommonly available but highly effective protection against SARS-CoV-2 during gastrointestinal endoscopies
Author(s) -
Radan Keil,
Štěpán Hlava,
Petr Stanovský,
Vladimı́r Ždı́mal,
Jan Šťovíček,
Milan Trojánek,
Jir̆ı́ Drábek,
Barbora Frýbová,
V. Petráček,
Martin Wasserbauer
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0254979
Subject(s) - endoscope , forceps , cover (algebra) , covid-19 , medicine , biomedical engineering , surgery , pathology , mechanical engineering , engineering , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease
Background and aims SARS-CoV-2 is a worldwide serious health problem. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the number of potentially infectious particles present during endoscopic procedures and find effective tools to eliminate the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection while performing them. Methods An experimental model which focused on aerosol problematics was made in a specialized laboratory. This model simulated conditions present during endoscopic procedures and monitored the formation of potentially infectious fluid particles from the patient’s body, which pass through the endoscope and are then released into the environment. For this reason, we designed and tested a prototype of a protective cover for the endoscope’s control body to prevent the release and spread of these fluid particles from its working channel. We performed measurements with and without the protective cover of the endoscope’s control body. Results It was found that liquid coming through the working channel of the endoscope with forceps or other instruments inside generates droplets with a diameter in the range of 0.1–1.1 mm and an initial velocity of up to 0.9 m/s. The average number of particles per measurement per whole measured area without a protective cover on the endoscope control body was 51.1; with this protective cover on, the measurement was 0.0, p<0.0001. Conclusions Our measurements proved that fluid particles are released from the working channel of an endoscope when forceps are inserted. A special protective cover for the endoscope control body, made out of breathable material (surgical cap) and designed by our team, was found to eliminate this release of potentially infectious fluid particles.