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Comment
. 2020 Aug;277(8):2403-2404.
doi: 10.1007/s00405-020-06068-7. Epub 2020 May 26.

Indications and timing for tracheostomy in patients with SARS CoV2-related

Emanuele Ferri  1 , Francesca Boscolo Nata  2 , Barbara Pedruzzi  2 , Giovanni Campolieti  2 , Francesco Scotto di Clemente  2 , Fabio Baratto  3 , Giovanni Cristalli  2
Affiliations
Comment

Indications and timing for tracheostomy in patients with SARS CoV2-related

Emanuele Ferri et al. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Background: The indications and timing for tracheostomy in patients with SARS CoV2-related are controversial.

Purpose: In a recent issue published in the European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, Mattioli et al. published a short communication about tracheostomy timing in patients with COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019); they reported that the tracheostomy could allow early Intensive Care Units discharge and, in the context of prolonged Invasive Mechanical Ventilation, should be suggested within 7 and 14 days to avoid potential tracheal damages. In this Letter to the Editor we would like to present our experience with tracheostomy in a Hub Covid Hospital.

Methods: 8 patients underwent open tracheostomy in case of intubation prolonged over 14 days, bronchopulmonary overlap infections, and patients undergoing weaning. They were followed up and the number and timing of death were recorded.

Results: Two patients died after tracheostomy; the median time between tracheostomy and death was 3 days. A negative prognostic trend was observed for a shorter duration of intubation.

Conclusion: In our experience, tracheostomy does not seem to influence the clinical course and prognosis of the disease, in the face of possible risks of contagion for healthcare workers. The indication for tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients should be carefully evaluated and reserved for selected patients. Although it is not possible to define an optimal timing, it is our opinion that tracheostomy in a stable or clinically improved COVID-19 patient should not be proposed before the 20th day after orotracheal intubation.

Keywords: COVID-19; Indications; SARS CoV2; Timing; Tracheostomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have not conflict of interest.

Comment in

Comment on

  • Tracheostomy in the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Mattioli F, Fermi M, Ghirelli M, Molteni G, Sgarbi N, Bertellini E, Girardis M, Presutti L, Marudi A. Mattioli F, et al. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2020 Jul;277(7):2133-2135. doi: 10.1007/s00405-020-05982-0. Epub 2020 Apr 22. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2020. PMID: 32322959 Free PMC article.

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