Recommendations for performing a tracheostomy and management of a tracheosto-mized patient after ten months of COVID-19 pandemic: a review of the literature

Abstract

The pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus designed SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread across the world, challenging all medical teams. Otolaryngologists are at particular risk because of interventions and care of aerodigestive secretions. At this level, tracheostomy it seen as a highly risk procedure involved in COVID-19 infected or suspected patients. Therefore, its important to take considerations for the correct care of these patients to decrease the potential contagious risk. In this revision we summarize the principal recommendations published by the main societies of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery among the world, as well as related published papers. In summary, a preoperative plan is performed, knowing the infectious status and a careful selection of patients by a multidisciplinary team. For the surgery, it is strongly recommended to wear personal protective equipment available, select the best conditions for the operating room, limited and most experimented surgery team. During the surgery, its recommended to take care for minimize the time of exposure to aerosolized secretions. Postoperative care should consider special measurements for cannula and ventilation systems.