Title
Tracheostomy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparison of International Perioperative Care Protocols and Practices in 26 Countries
Date Issued
01 June 2021
Access level
open access
Resource Type
review
Author(s)
Bier-Laning C.
Cramer J.D.
Roy S.
Amin A.
Añon J.M.
Bradley P.J.
Chaturvedi P.
Cognetti D.M.
Dias F.
Di Stadio A.
Fagan J.J.
Feller-Kopman D.J.
Hao S.P.
Kim K.H.
Koivunen P.
Loh W.S.
Mansour J.
Naunheim M.R.
Schultz M.J.
Shang Y.
Sirjani D.B.
St. John M.A.
Tay J.K.
Vergez S.
Weinreich H.M.
Wong E.W.Y.
Zenk J.
Rassekh C.H.
Brenner M.J.
Publisher(s)
SAGE Publications Inc.
Abstract
Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global surge in critically ill patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, some of whom may benefit from tracheostomy. Decisions on if, when, and how to perform tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 have major implications for patients, clinicians, and hospitals. We investigated the tracheostomy protocols and practices that institutions around the world have put into place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data Sources: Protocols for tracheostomy in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection from individual institutions (n = 59) were obtained from the United States and 25 other countries, including data from several low- and middle-income countries, 23 published or society-endorsed protocols, and 36 institutional protocols. Review Methods: The comparative document analysis involved cross-sectional review of institutional protocols and practices. Data sources were analyzed for timing of tracheostomy, contraindications, preoperative testing, personal protective equipment (PPE), surgical technique, and postoperative management. Conclusions: Timing of tracheostomy varied from 3 to >21 days, with over 90% of protocols recommending 14 days of intubation prior to tracheostomy. Most protocols advocate delaying tracheostomy until COVID-19 testing was negative. All protocols involved use of N95 or higher PPE. Both open and percutaneous techniques were reported. Timing of tracheostomy changes ranged from 5 to >30 days postoperatively, sometimes contingent on negative COVID-19 test results. Implications for Practice: Wide variation exists in tracheostomy protocols, reflecting geographical variation, different resource constraints, and limited data to drive evidence-based care standards. Findings presented herein may provide reference points and a framework for evolving care standards.
Start page
1136
End page
1147
Volume
164
Issue
6
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Políticas de salud, Servicios de salud Epidemiología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85094954908
PubMed ID
Source
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (United States)
ISSN of the container
01945998
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus