Screening of Patients for COVID-19 Infection Before Endoscopic Procedures

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was recommended to delay elective gastrointestinal procedures and perform only emergency procedures. Herein, we will report the results of the evaluation process of patients in terms of COVID-19 before the gastrointestinal procedures performed in our clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who underwent endoscopy, colonoscopy, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in our hospital were included in the study. A total of 987 patients were included in the study. Twelve (1.2%) patients who were asymptomatic and underwent the COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test were shown positive. The COVID-19 PCR test of 80 of the 98 patients referred to the pulmonary disorders department was positive. A cautious evaluation of patients for the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection by the clinician is more important than laboratory tests in the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection before gastrointestinal procedures.

Keywords: COVID-19; Colonoscopy; Endoscopy; ERCP