Indian J Otolaryngol
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Indian J Otolaryngol · Aug 2021
Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Patients: Experience at a Tertiary Center in the First 11 Months of the Pandemic.
This study aimed to evaluate the experience of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients in a Southern Europe tertiary hospital. Retrospective observational study in tracheostomized patients from April 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. Data related to tracheostomy were evaluated in patients with and without COVID-19, including infections in healthcare professionals involved in patient care. ⋯ The 21-day procedure timing seems adequate. Comorbidities played an essential role in patient´s recovery. Age and renal failure are associated with a worse vital prognosis.
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Indian J Otolaryngol · Sep 2020
A Systematic Review on Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Patients: Current Guidelines and Safety Measures.
At this moment the world is fighting with COVID-19 pandemic. Because of increasing number of critical cases, the ICU admissions are also increasing and overwhelming the hospital. ⋯ We did a literature search for research regarding tracheostomy and its post procedure care during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this review various international guidelines and sources were put together, and we aim to summarize in a systematic way the available recommendations: indications, timing, technique and safety measures for tracheostomy for COVID-19 patients, from all over the world.
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Indian J Otolaryngol · Sep 2020
Guidelines for Surgical Tracheostomy and Tracheostomy Tube Change During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review Article.
The novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) has unfolded into a pandemic and is continuing to propagate at a frightening speed. The aim of this article is to share our protocol for performing a safe surgical tracheostomy in this COVID-19 era. Tracheostomy procedures have a high risk of aerosol generation. ⋯ We also did explore the current literature and recommendations for tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 and studied the previous data from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1), the virus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003. We have prepared a protocol for performing a safe surgical tracheotomy in patients affected by COVID-19. Surgeons who might be involved in performing the tracheostomies should become familiar with these guidelines.
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Tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 requires significant decision making and procedural planning. Use of tracheostomy can facilitate weaning from ventilation and potentially increase the availability of much needed intensive care unit (ICU) beds, however this being a high aerosol generating procedure it does put the health care worker to risk of transmission. Here we present our experience and protocols for performing tracheostomy in COVID-19 positive patients. ⋯ We have summarized our experience in performing tracheostomies in 11 such patients. Our guidelines and recommendations on tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic are presented in this study. We suggest tracheostomies to be done after 10 days of intubation with precautions and given indications with the idea of early weaning off of patient from ventilator and more availability of ICU beds which is already overwhelmed by patient load.
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Indian J Otolaryngol · Aug 2020
Otolaryngology Practice in Covid 19 Era: A Road-Map to Safe Endoscopies.
Covid-19 has changed the way medical services are being delivered all around the world. Otolaryngology as a speciality is anecdotally associated with high risk of infection. ⋯ An overhaul of endoscopy and associated procedures is necessary keeping in mind the prevailing situations. This paper aims at a review of the on-going research and development of a road map for safe endoscopies-both for patients and heath care workers.