• Maria Vargas, Gennaro Russo, Carmine Iacovazzo, and Giuseppe Servillo.
• Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
• Head Neck. 2020 Jul 1; 42 (7): 1363-1366.

BackgroundPercutaneous tracheostomy (PT) in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) included several critical steps associated with increased risk of aerosol generation. We reported a modified PT technique aiming to minimize the risk of aerosol generation and to increase the staff safety in COVID-19 patients.MethodsPT was performed with a modified technique including the use of a smaller endotracheal tube (ETT) cuffed at the carina during the procedure.ResultsThe modified technique we proposed was successfully performed in three critically ill patients with COVID-19.ConclusionsIn COVID-19 critically ill patients, a modified PT technique, including the use of a smaller ETT cuffed at the carina and fiber-optic bronchoscope inserted between the tube and the inner surface of the trachea, may ensure a better airway management, respiratory function, patient comfort, and great safety for the staff.© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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