Mitigation of COVID-19 transmission in endoscopic and surgical aerosol-generating procedures: a narrative review of early-pandemic literature

Abstract

A comprehensive literature search was performed using a combination of keywords (MeSH terms and free text words) including 'COVID-19'/ 'SARS-CoV*'/'SARS'/'MERS' , 'aerosol' , 'surgery' , 'operation/procedure' , 'endoscopy' , and 'healthcare workers' . MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to 18 July 2020. Preprint servers, medRxiv, and bioRxiv were also searched for information up to that date. The search was limited to studies published during or after 2003, when the SARS outbreak began. Only articles published in English or published in another language but containing an English abstract were included. The search strategy is presented in the online supplementary Appendix. The search results were supplemented by guidelines from professional bodies. Results Perioperative considerations Preoperative considerationsFor all specialties, only urgent and essential procedures should be performed during the pandemic, 6 with