Novel Percutaneous Tracheostomy for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic, with many patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Tracheostomy is not recommended by current guidelines as it is considered a superspreading event owing to aerosolization that unduly risks health care workers.

Methods

Patients with severe COVID-19 who were on mechanical ventilation for 5 days or longer were evaluated for percutaneous dilational tracheostomy. We developed a novel percutaneous tracheostomy technique that placed the bronchoscope alongside the endotracheal tube, not inside it. That improved visualization during the procedure and continued standard mechanical ventilation after positioning the inflated endotracheal tube cuff in the distal trachea. This technique offers a significant mitig

SUBMITTER: Angel L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7182508 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature