Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Practice in Pandemic Conditions

Abstract

Objective A novel coronavirus, which is termed COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2, was declared a pandemic by the WHO since March 2020. Endoscopy is a potential route for infection. Because of this reason, gastroenterology associations around the world recommended the suspension of non-emergency endoscopy. The aim of our study was to investigate the characteristics of the emergency endoscopic procedures performed during the pandemic period and compare with the same period of the previous year. Material and Methods Our endoscopy unit is the only center in the city where emergency endoscopic intervention and therapeutic endoscopic procedures are performed on adult patients. Only emergency and urgent endoscopic procedures performed between March 16 and May 18, the period when the pandemic was most intense, were evaluated. The staff in the endoscopy room used full personal protective equipment all endoscopic procedures irrespective of whether or not to test for COVID-19. Results 96 upper endoscopic (56 of them GI bleeding), 26 lower endoscopic (14 of them GI bleeding, mostly malignancy) and 27 ERCP procedures were carried out. Only one patient that 62 years old male, with a negative typical symptom query, was detected PCR positive for COVID-19 on the same day after the procedure. In the same period in 2019, we had performed 98 upper and 25 lower endoscopies and 99 ERCP for emergency indications. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic process caused extreme changes in endoscopy procedure practice and also indications. All endoscopy units should always be accoutered for the management of emergency endoscopy procedures such as gastrointestinal bleeding.