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Tracheostomy during COVID ‐19 pandemic—Novel approach
Author(s) -
Chow Velda Ling Yu,
Chan Jimmy Yu Wai,
Ho Valerie Wai Yee,
Pang Sherby Suet Ying,
Lee George Chung Ching,
Wong Melody Man Kuen,
Lo Arthur Shing Ho,
Lui Frances,
Poon Clara Ching Mei,
Wong Stanley Thian Sze
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.26234
Subject(s) - face shield , covid-19 , pandemic , medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , pneumonia , tonsil , surgery , virology , health care , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economic growth , engineering , outbreak , electrical engineering , economics
Background This study describes a novel approach in reducing SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission during tracheostomy. Methods Five patients underwent tracheostomy between April 1, 2020 and April 17, 2020. A clear and sterile plastic drape was used as an additional physical barrier against droplets and aerosols. Operative diagnosis; droplet count and distribution on plastic sheet and face shields were documented. Results Tracheostomy was performed for patients with carcinoma of tonsil (n = 2) and nasopharynx (n = 1), and aspiration pneumonia (n = 2). Droplet contamination was noted on all plastic sheets (n = 5). Droplet contamination was most severe over the central surface at 91.5% (86.7%‐100.0%) followed by the left and right lateral surfaces at 5.2% (6.7%‐10.0%) and 3.3% (6.7%‐10.0%), respectively. No droplet contamination was noted on all face shields. Conclusion Plastic drapes can help reduce viral transmission to health care providers during tracheostomy. Face shields may be spared which in turn helps to conserve resources during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.