3D-printed face protective shield in interventional radiology: Evaluation of an immediate solution in the era of COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report the clinical evaluation of a 3D-printed protective face shield designed to protect interventional radiologists from droplet transmission of the SARS-Cov-2. Materials and methods: A protective face shield consisting in a standard transparent polymerizing vinyl chloride (PVC) sheet was built using commercially available 3D printers. The 3D-printed face shield was evaluated in 31 interventional procedures in terms of ability to perform the assigned intervention as usual, quality of visual comfort and tolerance using a Likert scale (from 1, as very good to 5, as extremely poor). Results: The mean rating for ability to perform the assigned intervention as usual was 1.7 +/- 0.8 (SD) (range: 1-4). The mean visual tolerance rating was 1.6 +/- 0.7 (SD) (range: 1-4). The mean tolerability rating was 1.4 +/- 0.7 (SD) (range: 1-3). Conclusion: The 3D-printed protective face shield is well accepted in various interventions. It may become an additional option for protection of interventional radiologists. (C) 2020 Societe francaise de radiologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.