Clin Endosc.  2023 May;56(3):381-383. 10.5946/ce.2022.199.

Is simply covering the patient's mouth with a surgical mask during transnasal endoscopy sufficient as an anti-COVID-19 measure?

• KMID: 2542466
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2022.199

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. The experimental model. (A) A Leak Cutter (TOP) was connected to a standard endoscopic overtube (#16400; TOP). A thin endoscope was advanced into an excised swine stomach through the overtube. A carbon dioxide insufflation system was connected to the side channel of the Leak Cutter. (B) The gas leakage from the biopsy valve of the thin endoscope during endoscopic procedures was visualized using System Schlieren (SS100; Kato Koken Co., Ltd.), while the intra-gastric pressure of the excised swine stomach was maintained at 8 mmHg.

• 

  Fig. 2. Gas leakage visualization from the biopsy valve of the thin endoscope during endoscopic procedures.

Reference

1. Gómez-Ochoa SA, Franco OH, Rojas LZ, et al. COVID-19 in health-care workers: a living systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes. Am J Epidemiol. 2021; 190:161–175.

2. Soetikno R, Teoh AY, Kaltenbach T, et al. Considerations in performing endoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gastrointest Endosc. 2020; 92:176–183.

3. Guda NM, Emura F, Reddy DN, et al. Recommendations for the operation of endoscopy centers in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic: World Endoscopy Organization guidance document. Dig Endosc. 2020; 32:844–850.

4. Higashimori A, Maruyama H, Nadatani Y, et al. The "New Normal" following the COVID-19 pandemic: a simple infection-prevention measure using a surgical mask during transnasal endoscopy. Clin Endosc. 2021; 54:618–620.

5. Nadatani Y, Higashimori A, Takashima S, et al. A mask-based infection control method for screening endoscopy may prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission and relieve staff anxiety. SAGE Open Med. 2021; 9:20503121211047060.

6. Urakawa S, Hirashita T, Momose K, et al. Intraluminal gas escape from biopsy valves and endoscopic devices during endoscopy: caution advised during the COVID-19 era. Endosc Int Open. 2021; 9:E443–E449.

7. Keil R, Hlava Š, Stanovský P, et al. Commonly available but highly effective protection against SARS-CoV-2 during gastrointestinal endoscopies. PLoS One. 2021; 16:e0254979.

8. Su C, Wang S, Shih C, et al. Visualization of hot flows of tall space fires in model experiments with Schlieren Photography technique. Springerplus. 2016; 5:1744.

9. Glosse P, Denneler S, Stier O, et al. Investigation of the powder aerosol deposition method using shadowgraph imaging. Materials (Basel). 2021; 14:2502.