Bronchoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic: effect on current practices and strategies to reduce procedure-associated transmission

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Bronchoscopy and related procedures have unambiguously been affected during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 (SARS COV-2). Ordinary bronchoscopy practices and lung cancer services might have changed over this pandemic and for the years to come.

Areas covered: This manuscript summarizes the utility of bronchoscopy in COVID-19 patients, and the impact of the pandemic in lung cancer diagnostic services, in view of possible viral spread during these We conducted a literature review of articles published in PubMed/Medline from inception to November 5th, 2020 using relevant terms.

Expert opinion: Without doubt this pandemic has changed the way bronchoscopy and related procedures are being performed. Mandatory universal personal protective equipment, pre-bronchoscopy PCR tests, dedicated protective barriers and disposable bronchoscopes might be the safest and simpler way to perform even the most complicated procedures.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• pandemic
• bronchoscopy
• bronchoalveolar lavage
• endobronchial ultrasound/transbronchial needle aspiration
• interventional pulmonology

Article highlights

• Brochoscopy and related procedures pose a great risk for viral transmission.

• Personal Protective Equipment, customized protective barriers can help in diminishing viral spread.

• Bronchoalveolar Lavage in COVID-19 patients have a role in establishing the diagnosis or identify an alternative one.

• Bronchoscopy should not be delayed especially in patients with lung cancer that can be radically treated.

• More studies are needed to characterize the effect of the pandemic on possible delays in lung cancer services (including bronchoscopies)

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.