• Chow Velda Ling Yu VLY https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3958-2410 Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka S, Chan Jimmy Yu Wai JYW https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0303-6469 Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Sh, Valerie Wai Yee Ho, Sherby Suet Ying Pang, George Chung Ching Lee, Melody Man Kuen Wong, Arthur Shing Ho Lo, Frances Lui, Clara Ching Mei Poon, and Stanley Thian Sze Wong.
• Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
• Head Neck. 2020 Jul 1; 42 (7): 1367-1373.

BackgroundThis study describes a novel approach in reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission during tracheostomy.MethodsFive 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.ResultsTracheostomy 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.ConclusionPlastic 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.© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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