Elective Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Case Series

Authors

  • Marta Dias-Vaz Serviço de Anestesiologia, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2242-3701
  • Catarina Tiago Serviço de Anestesiologia, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9861-6505
  • Ana Morais Serviço de Anestesiologia, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1640-9906
  • Milene Ferreira Serviço de Anestesiologia, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9007-7305
  • Filipa Carvalho Serviço de Anestesiologia, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7221-4310

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25751/rspa.20118

Keywords:

Tracheostomy, COVID-19, Personal Protective Equipment, Intensive Care Units, Coronavirus Infections, Ventilation/methods

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak represents a global health threat due to the unprecedented number of patients admitted to intensive care units and the overwhelming need for mechanical ventilation. Performing a tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients represents a risk for patients and healthcare workers. We report a case series of 10 patients with COVID-19 who underwent elective open tracheostomies in a negative pressure operating room, carried out by an experienced multidisciplinary team. They were tracheostomized after a mean intubation period of 18.6 days (range, 13-23 days). Only one patient developed postoperative complications and no viral transmission to health care workers was documented. Hence, our experience supports the safety of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients, provided that meticulous planning and strict safety recommendations are followed.

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Published

2020-08-23

How to Cite

Dias-Vaz, M., Tiago, C., Morais, A., Ferreira, M., & Carvalho, F. (2020). Elective Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Case Series. Journal of the Portuguese Society of Anesthesiology, 29(2), 72–76. https://doi.org/10.25751/rspa.20118

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