Use of a Glove-Covered Mouthpiece during Upper Endoscopy to Prevent COVID-19 Transmission

摘要

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become a global pandemic. All endoscopic procedures should be postponed until the spread of infection has subsided [1]. However, endoscopy may be necessary to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal cancers and bleeding. Aerosol dispersion due to coughing and retching during upper endoscopic procedures are considered an infection risk. Personal protective equipment (PPE) including face shield, N95 respirator (or surgical mask), cap, isolation gown and disposable gloves is recommended for the medical staffs, whereas patients should be masked until just before endoscopy [2,3].