COVID‐19 in the Clinic: Human Testing of an Aerosol Containment Mask for Endoscopic Clinic Procedures. (27th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ference, Elisabeth H.; Kim, Wihan; Oghalai, John S.; Walker, Clayton B.; Kim, Jee‐Hong; Gallagher, Tyler; Ma, Harrison J.; Applegate, Brian E.
• Is Part Of: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery. Volume 166:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 669
• Page End: 675
• Publication Date: 2021-07-27
• Subjects: negative‐pressure mask -- endoscopy -- laryngoscopy -- nasal endoscopy -- aerosol production -- cough -- sneeze -- Rainbow Passage -- virus -- COVID‐19; Head -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neck -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/01945998211029184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-5998

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To create an aerosol containment mask (ACM) for common otolaryngologic endoscopic procedures that also provides nanoparticle‐level protection to patients. Study Design: Prospective feasibility study. Setting: In‐person testing with a novel ACM. Methods: The mask was designed in Solidworks and 3D printed. Measurements were made on 10 healthy volunteers who wore the ACM while reading the Rainbow Passage repeatedly and performing a forced cough or sneeze at 5‐second intervals over 1 minute with an endoscope in place. Results: There was a large variation in the number of aerosol particles generated among the volunteers. Only the sneeze task showed a significant increase compared with normal breathing in the 0.3‐µm particle size when compared with a 1‐tailed t test ( P =. 013). Both the 0.5‐µm and 2.5‐µm particle sizes showed significant increases for all tasks, while the 2 largest particle sizes, 5 and 10 µm, showed no significant increase (both P <. 01). With the suction off, 3 of 30 events (2 sneeze events and 1 cough event) had increases in particle counts, both inside and outside the mask. With the suction on, 2 of 30 events had an increase in particle counts outside the mask without a corresponding increase in particle counts inside the mask. Therefore, these fluctuations in particle counts were determined to be due to random fluctuation in room particle levels. Conclusion: ACM will accommodate rigid and flexible endoscopes plus instruments and may prevent the leakage of patient‐generated aerosols, thus avoiding contamination of the room and protecting health care workers from airborne contagions. Level of evidence: 2