Bronchoscopy in children with COVID‐19 : a case series
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons
Abstract
Introduction: The coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) era is a challenging time
for respiratory teams to protect their patients and staff. COVID‐19 is predominantly
transmitted by respiratory droplets; in the clinical setting, aerosol generating procedures pose the greatest risk for COVID‐19 transmission. Bronchoscopy is associated with increased risk of patient‐to‐health care worker transmission, owing to
aerosolized viral particles which may be inhaled and also result in environmental
contamination of surfaces.
Methods: We describe our experience with the use of modified full‐face snorkeling
masks for pediatric bronchoscopy procedures in four COVID‐19 infected children
when filtering facepieces/respirators were in limited supply.
Results: Bronchoscopy was urgently required in four children, and could not be
delayed until COVID‐19 test results were available. During the pandemic peak,
when respirators were in short supply, modified full‐face snorkel masks (SEAC
Libera, SEAC, Italy) were worn by the bronchoscopy team. Each mask was fitted with
an O‐ring, adapter, and heat and moisture exchanger filter. To date, there have been
no COVID‐19 infections among the bronchoscopy team staff, whereas the overall
Hospital staff COVID‐19 prevalence rate has exceeded 13.5% (667/4949).
Conclusion: Emergency bronchoscopy procedures on COVID‐19 infected patients or
patients with unknown infection status can be safely performed using modified full‐
face snorkel masks.
Description
CITATION: Goussard, P. et al. 2020. Bronchoscopy in children with COVID‐19 : a case series. Pediatric Pulmonology, 55:2816–2822, doi:10.1002/ppul.25015.
The original publication is available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
The original publication is available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Keywords
COVID-19 (Disease), Bronchoscopy, Lungs -- Diseases -- Children, Coronavirus disease 2019 -- Children
Citation
Goussard, P. et al. 2020. Bronchoscopy in children with COVID‐19 : a case series. Pediatric Pulmonology, 55:2816–2822, doi:10.1002/ppul.25015.