Bronchoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic: effect on current practices and strategies to reduce procedure-associated transmission. (3rd June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sampsonas, Fotios; Kakoullis, Loukas; Karampitsakos, Theodoros; Papaioannou, Ourania; Katsaras, Matthaios; Papachristodoulou, Eleni; Kyriakou, George; Bellou, Aggeliki; Tzouvelekis, Argyrios
• Is Part Of: Expert review of respiratory medicine. Volume 15:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 773
• Page End: 779
• Publication Date: 2021-06-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- pandemic -- bronchoscopy -- bronchoalveolar lavage -- endobronchial ultrasound/transbronchial needle aspiration -- interventional pulmonology; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.2005
• DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2021.1913058
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-6348

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : Bronchoscopy and related procedures have unambiguously been affected during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 (SARS COV-2). Ordinary bronchoscopy practices and lung cancer services might have changed over this pandemic and for the years to come. Areas covered : This manuscript summarizes the utility of bronchoscopy in COVID-19 patients, and the impact of the pandemic in lung cancer diagnostic services, in view of possible viral spread during these We conducted a literature review of articles published in PubMed/Medline from inception to November 5th, 2020 using relevant terms. Expert opinion : Without doubt this pandemic has changed the way bronchoscopy and related procedures are being performed. Mandatory universal personal protective equipment, pre-bronchoscopy PCR tests, dedicated protective barriers and disposable bronchoscopes might be the safest and simpler way to perform even the most complicated procedures.