Protective Device during Airway Management in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

To the Editor:

Healthcare workers are exposed to a higher than average risk of infection by the contagious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which requires special attention to their protection.[1] Anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists are particularly confronted by a high-risk situation when managing the airway of infected patients: oxygenation by bag-mask, cough during laryngoscopy, and tracheal intubation and extubation. Careful planning is required, and guidelines have been published for anesthesiology teams[2,3] to follow in such cases. Thus, airway management must be realized in an airborne isolation room (negative pressure). Airborne precautions, hand hygiene, and donning of personnel protective equipment including reinforced overshirt, double gloves, glasses, and filtering facepiece particles class 2 mask must be respected. It is also recommended that tracheal intubation is carried out under rapid sequence induction by an expert anesthesiologist using video laryngoscopy.[2,4]

To reduce the risk of contamination during airway management, several devices are described (transparent field over the patient, protective helmet, plexiglass box).[2,5] We hereby describe a novel device by recycling and reusing existing hospital equipment; it is based on a neonatal incubator hood, which has been modified by reinforcing the base and removing one side (fig. 1).

Fig 1.

Neonatal plexiglass incubator hood (after removing one side and strengthening the base).

On the model available in our hospital, it can simply be unscrewed and the four sides are removable. After testing two models with different sizes of portholes (12 and 15 cm), we opted for the larger one, providing adequate ability to perform intubation (using MacGrath in our institution) without movement difficulties (figs. 2 and 3). The space around the arms is minimal and offers the best benefit–risk ratio, reducing the diffusion of aerosolized particles as much as possible compared with the absence of a protective device. In addition, the side porthole offers the possibility for a second operator to perform additional maneuvers, such as suction or the Sellick maneuverer (fig. 4). To harden the entire device, we used a rigid plastic board cut to the dimensions of the hood and fixed directly with screws on the existing screw holes. The manufacturing process was carried out with the help of a technical agent, in particular for the manufacture of the new base, with compatible equipment for hospital use (especially for hygiene). The entire process took less than an hour. The hood used was part of a defective incubator that was intended to be destroyed (obsolete equipment).

Fig 2.

Installation on operating table and access by the two portholes.

Fig 3.

Bag-mask ventilation.

Fig 4.

Tracheal intubation with MacGrath.

Because of the importance of the risk of projections of contaminated aerosols during the various maneuvers on the airways, especially extubation (because of the cough), we decided to keep in place our device for the duration of the surgical procedure. We tested the device during airway management in different non–COVID-19 patients, and simulation sessions were carried out to train the teams in its use and handling. Our device seems to be very easy and quick to use, confirmed when taking care of COVID-19 surgical patients. We were so satisfied that we used it successfully in the intensive care unit and we plan to use it in the emergency room.

In our protocols, in accordance with the recommendations of our hygiene department, the anesthesiologist remains in the operating room during the entire operation and keeps on all personnel protective equipment except the upper gloves, which are changed after intubation and after each maneuver at risk of contamination such as a tracheal aspiration, gastric tube placement, and extubation. All installations intended to remain in the operating room (including our device) are cleaned with a broad spectrum cleaner and disinfectant (Anios Oxy’Floor in our hospital) after the exit of the COVID-19 patient from the operating room. A period of 3 h is observed before using the room or its installations.

Unlike a transparent field or plastic screens, which present a risk of viral dissemination during their manipulation after use, our device is just removed and cleaned after the intervention. It also has the advantage of being more robust, allowing a three-dimensional view and offering more space compared with a manufactured plexiglass box. The only drawback noted is the weight of the device, requiring more precautions during handling and cleaning.

The manufacturing process of the device is relatively simple and fast, without the need for specific materials. It can be manufactured using existing resources, the main material being a device available in almost all hospitals. It provides an additional barrier against the risks of contamination at no additional cost, and it is reusable and ecological.

The spread of the COVID-19 was very rapid and healthcare workers are confronted with airway management of infected patients, exposing them to a major risk of contamination. In addition to the established protection rules, the use of additional devices, like the one we describe, to reduce the risk during high-risk situations is desirable. The proposed device can be used on routine procedures in all areas managing airways of COVID-19 patients.

Research Support

Support was provided solely from institutional and/or departmental sources (hospital equipment).

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.