Brit J Hosp Med
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Biography Historical Article
James Syme: distinguished Edinburgh surgeon of the 19th century.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the death of James Syme, one of the most distinguished members of the Edinburgh school of surgery in the 19th century.
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COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented pandemic and medical emergency that has changed routine care pathways. This article discusses the extent of aerosolisation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as a result of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. ⋯ As it is a highly infectious disease, clinicians treating patients with COVID-19 require effective personal protective equipment. The main routes of infection are direct contact and droplets in the air and on surfaces. Aerosolisation carries a substantial risk of infection, so any aerosol-producing procedure, such as endoscopy, should be performed wearing personal protective equipment and with extra caution to protect the endoscopist, staff and patients from cross-infection via the respiratory system.