Abstract
Objective In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of COVID-19 after endoscopic
procedures were performed with elective indications during the normalization process
of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also aimed to investigate safety of these procedures.
Materials and Methods The study included 351 patients who underwent an endoscopic procedure for elective
indications in the endoscopy unit of the gastroenterology department of the İstanbul
Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital and whose risk assessment for
COVID-19 was low before the procedure. All patients were followed-up within 14 days
after the procedure in terms of getting a COVID-19 PCR test and its results and also
assessing development of any symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath
associated with COVID-19.
Results A total of 351 patients were included in the study. A total of 445 procedures were
performed: upper gastrointestinal (GI) system endoscopy in 180 patients, colonoscopy
in 74 patients, double procedure (upper GI endoscopy + colonoscopy) in 94 patients,
and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in three patients. It was found that
at least one of the symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and fever developed
in 33 (9.4%) of these 351 patients within 14 days. It was observed that 20(5.6‰)of
these 33 patients were tested for COVID-19 and the test results were reported as positive
in two(5.6‰)patients.
Conclusion In the normalization process of COVID-19, elective endoscopic procedures can be performed
in patients, who are shown to be low risk, by paying attention to the consummate use
of the personal protective equipment (PPE).
Keywords
elective endoscopy - COVID-19 - risk
