[Support of posterior nasal endoscopy in obtaining nasopharyngeal swab during COVID-19]

Introduction: In relation to the nasopharynx swab samples, necessary to identify SARS-CoV-2, various problems have been reported, such as: delays in viral identification, high percentages of false negative PCR and viral presence in asymptomatic patients. This, and because the swab is performed without intranasal vision, suggests the need to improve the process of obtaining the nasopharyngeal swab sample, the most important step in viral identification. Description: Because nasal endoscopy is a procedure that provides direct visualization of intranasal structures; We propose its use to support laboratory personnel in obtaining the nasopharyngeal swab, allowing to improve the quality of the sample, with greater possibilities of early viral identification in COVID-19 patients. In addition, performing endoscopy through a posterior approach would reduce the risk of contagion from the personnel who perform it.
Conclusion: We propose the use of posterior nasal endoscopy as support in obtaining the nasopharyngeal swab sample, to improve the identification of SARS-CoV-2. Its realization by means of the posterior approach, would avoid the contagion of the personnel who perform it. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba