Upper Aerodigestive Tract Procedures in COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Since the late 2019 months’ pandemic of Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), it has spread globally and claimed abundant lives due to its expeditious interpersonal transmission and high mortality rate. Early studies showed that the upper aerodigestive tract procedures had the highest rates of nosocomial spread due to high viral load in upper respiratory and pharyngeal secretions. Between March 10 and April 10, 2020, a total of 28 rigid endoscopies were performed under general anesthesia for the removal of esophageal foreign bodies at our center. All the patients were screened on admission for symptoms of COVID-19 and a chest CT scan was performed and they were later followed up for further investigations. No patient had symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, and dyspnea) on admission, and only one patient (3.57 %) had a suspicious CT scan for COVID-19. The mean age of 27 asymptomatic cases, including 14 men and 13 women, was 45.2 years old. Their average hospital stay was 0.8 days. all patients were later interviewed, inspected, and closely observed for any upcoming symptoms which would raise suspicion for COVID-19 during isolation. Of the 27 patients who cooperated, none showed COVID-19 symptoms. What makes this experiment prominent is that with suitable plans in a careful and precautionary manner, we can provide first-rate care for patients and meanwhile protect physicians during this pandemic promptly.