Improved team communication in endoscopic procedures by digital enhanced telecommunication during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background and study aims Unbiased communication is crucial for excellent teamwork in high-quality endoscopy. Personal protective equipment (PPE) (FFP-masks and face-shields) worn by endoscopists that are ubiquitous in the current COVID-19 pandemic strikingly impair communication. Digital enhancement approaches to maintain team communication, especially during complex endoscopic procedures, are urgently warranted. Materials and methods A prospective, two-armed interventional study was performed at an endoscopy unit at a tertiary center in Germany. Two hundred and three endoscopic procedures with PPE se according to pandemic risk level were randomly assigned (1:1) to a group performed by an endoscopy team equipped with digital enhanced cordless telecommunication (DECT) or one without digital-enhanced communication. The primary outcome was the team-reported number of communication-associated events (CAEs) defined as misunderstandings that impaired workflow during endoscopic examination. Secondary outcomes included perceived voice and headphone quality and overall comfort with DECT during endoscopic work. Results The use of DECT was associated with a significant reduction in communication-associated events in endoscopic procedures and overall, was perceived positively. Conclusions Digital enhancement of communication is a promising and easy-to- establish tool for improving team communication quality in endoscopy.

BRONCHOSCOPIC BALLOON DILATATION COMBINED WITH ELECTRIC CAUTERIZATION OF TRACHEAL STENOSIS UNDER CONSCIOUS SEDATION: A CASE REPORT

Post intubation tracheal stenosis remains the most common indication of tracheal resection and reconstruction. It can cause respiratory symptoms that can often be misdiagnosed as obstructive lung disease. Various treatment modalities are available. As ofce-based procedures have been common, awake or mildly sedated endoscopic procedures with spontaneous ventilation are now being performed by exible bronchoscopy. We report a case involving a 45-year-old male who presented with dyspnea and stridor from 15 days. Patient had past history of intubation and icu stay one month back. After proper topicalization of upper airway of the patient, electric cauterization and balloon dilation was performed by exible bronchoscope under conscious sedation and spontaneous ventilation. Conscious sedation was achieved by graded doses of propofol and fentanyl. Post-operative period was uneventful, and patient didn’t describe any discomfort. Improvement in symptoms were reported. Endoscopic procedures for tracheal pathology under conscious sedation seems to be feasible and safe procedure.

Endoscopic Vacuum-assisted Closure in a Patient with an Overtube-induced Esophageal Perforation

An esophageal perforation is one of the most fatal clinical events, with a mortality rate of up to 21%. This may arise postoperatively or post-endoscopically. In the past, surgical treatment, such as an esophagectomy, was performed these cases. However, the procedure was challenging and had a high risk of postoperative complications. Recently, advancements in endoscopic techniques have been made, and endoscopic procedures became a common treatment modality for patients with esophageal perforation, even in those with underlying diseases. Among the endoscopic procedures, endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (E-VAC) has been known to be safe and effective. We present the case of a 64-year-old female with advanced liver cirrhosis and an overtube-induced esophageal perforation during esophageal variceal ligation. She was successfully treated with E-VAC.

Estimating the environmental impact of disposable endoscopic equipment and endoscopes

ObjectiveProcedure-intense specialties, such as surgery or endoscopy, are a major contributor to the impact of the healthcare sector on the environment. We aimed to measure the amount of waste generated during endoscopic procedures and to understand the impact on waste of changing from reusable to single use endoscopes in the USA.DesignWe conducted a 5-day audit (cross-sectional study) of all endoscopies performed at two US academic medical centres with low and a high endoscopy volume (2000 and 13 000 procedures annually, respectively). We calculated the average disposable waste (excluding waste from reprocessing) generated during one endoscopic procedure to estimate waste of all endoscopic procedures generated in the USA annually (18 million). We further estimated the impact of changing from reusable to single-use endoscopes taking reprocessing waste into account.Results278 endoscopies were performed for 243 patients. Each endoscopy generated 2.1 kg of disposable waste (46 L volume). 64% of waste was going to the landfill, 28% represented biohazard waste and 9% was recycled. The estimated total waste generated during all endoscopic procedures performed in the USA annually would weigh 38 000 metric tons (equivalent of 25 000 passenger cars) and cover 117 soccer fields to 1 m depth. If all endoscopic procedures were performed with single-use endoscopes and accounting for reprocessing, the net waste mass would increase by 40%. Excluding waste from ancillary supplies, net waste generated from reprocessing and endoscope disposal would quadruple with only using single-use endoscopes.ConclusionThis quantitative assessment of the environmental impact of endoscopic procedures highlights that a large amount of waste is generated from disposable instruments. Transitioning to single-use endoscopes may reduce reprocessing waste but would increase net waste.

The efficacy of fosfomycin trometamol in prevention of postoperative urinary tract infection in pregnant women after endoscopic procedures: open clinical trial

Background Fosfomycin tromethamine is recommended (category B) for the treatment of urinary tract infections in pregnant women. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of single-dose preoperative fosfomycin tromethamine in the prevention of urinary tract infection in pregnant women who underwent lower urinary tract endoscopic surgeries. Methodology The subjects of this study were pregnant women who underwent lower urinary tract endoscopic procedures. All patients received Fosfomycin tromethamine1 packet (3 g) dissolved in water the day before surgery. Routine pre- and postoperative urine analysis and urine cultures were performed when needed. Patients were monitored for urinary tract infections and the side effects of the drug. Moreover, maternal and fetal complications were monitored. Results The study was conducted on 31 pregnant women with a mean age of 24.48 ± 5.35 years. The endoscopic procedures were as follows: 28 (90.3%) DJ ureteric insertions for hydronephrosis, 2 (6.5%) urinary bladder stones, and cystoscopy (3.2%) for gross hematuria. Two (6.5%) patients had postoperative asymptomatic bacteriuria that resolved with oral antibiotic therapy. Conclusion Fosfomycin tromethamine is safe in preventing urinary tract infection and decreases the need for postoperative parenteral antibiotics in pregnant women who require lower urinary tract endoscopic procedures.