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Utility of Tracheostomy in Patients With COVID ‐19 and Other Special Considerations
Author(s) -
Mecham Jeffrey C.,
Thomas Olivia J.,
Pirgousis Phillip,
Janus Jeffrey R.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.28734
Subject(s) - covid-19 , personal protective equipment , medicine , intensive care medicine , intubation , transmission (telecommunications) , pandemic , health care , medical emergency , bronchoscopy , outbreak , disease , emergency medicine , infectious disease (medical specialty) , surgery , virology , economic growth , electrical engineering , economics , engineering
Patients who become severely ill from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have a high likelihood of needing prolonged intubation, making tracheostomy a likely consideration. The infectious nature of COVID‐19 poses an additional risk of transmission to healthcare workers that should be taken into consideration. Methods We explore current literature and recommendations for tracheostomy in patients with COVID‐19 and look back at previous data from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS‐CoV‐1), the virus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003. Results Given the severity and clinical uncertainty of patients with COVID‐19 and the increased risk of transmission to clinicians, careful consideration should be taken prior to performing tracheostomy. If tracheostomy is performed, we recommend a bedside approach to limit exposure time and number of exposed personnel. Bronchoscopy use with a percutaneous approach should be limited in order to decrease viral exposure. Conclusion Thorough preprocedural planning, use of experienced personnel, enhanced personal protective equipment where available, and a thoughtful anesthesia approach are instrumental in maximizing positive patient outcomes while successfully protecting the safety of healthcare personnel. Laryngoscope , 130:2546–2549, 2020