Simulation of Aerosol and Droplet Spread during Upper Airway and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

  1. Johannes Heymer
  2. Florian Dengler
  3. Alexander Krohn
  4. Christina Jaki
  5. Tobias Schilling
  6. Martina Mueller-Schilling
  7. Arne Kandulski
  8. Matthias Ott

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Abstract

Background and Aims: Aerosols and droplets are the main vectors in transmission of highly contagious SARS-CoV-2. Invasive diagnostic procedures like upper airway and gastrointestinal endoscopy have been declared as aerosol-generating procedures. Protection of healthcare workers is crucial in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We simulated aerosol and droplet spread during upper airway and gastrointestinal endoscopy with and without physico-mechanical barriers using a simulation model. Results: A clear plastic drape as used for central venous access markedly reduced visualized aerosol and droplet spread during endoscopy. Conclusion: A simple and cheap drape has the potential to reduce aerosol and droplet spread during endoscopy. In terms of healthcare worker protection, this may be important particularly in low- or moderate-income countries.

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  1. Version published to 10.1159/000525482
  2. ScreenIT

    SciScore for 10.1101/2021.04.20.21255743: (What is this?)

    Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.

    Table 1: Rigor

    Ethicsnot detected.
    Sex as a biological variablenot detected.
    Randomizationnot detected.
    Blindingnot detected.
    Power Analysisnot detected.

    Table 2: Resources

    No key resources detected.

    Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).

    Results from LimitationRecognizer: An explicit section about the limitations of the techniques employed in this study was not found. We encourage authors to address study limitations.

    Results from TrialIdentifier: No clinical trial numbers were referenced.

    Results from Barzooka: We did not find any issues relating to the usage of bar graphs.

    Results from JetFighter: We did not find any issues relating to colormaps.

    Results from rtransparent:
    • Thank you for including a conflict of interest statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • Thank you for including a funding statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • No protocol registration statement was detected.

    About SciScore

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  3. Version published to 10.1101/2021.04.20.21255743v1 on medRxiv