Open AccessOpen tracheostomy for COVID-19–positive patients: A method to minimize aerosolization and reduce risk of exposure
Author(s) -
Kartik Prabhakaran,
Ryan Malcom,
James W. Choi,
Alexandra Chudner,
Augustine Moscatello,
Peter Panzica,
Rifat Latifi,
Peter C. Rhee
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the journal of trauma and acute care surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.25
H-Index - 187
eISSN - 2163-0763
pISSN - 2163-0755
DOI - 10.1097/ta.0000000000002780
Subject(s) - medicine , deconditioning , aerosolization , intubation , covid-19 , tracheotomy , cytokine storm , intensive care medicine , surgery , anesthesia , inhalation , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
The COVID-19 virus is highly contagious, and thus there is a potential of infecting operating staff when operating on these patients. This case series describes a method of performing open tracheostomy for COVID-19 patients while minimizing potential aerosolization of the virus using typically available equipment and supplies.