A Systematic Review on Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Patients: Current Guidelines and Safety Measures.

ABSTRACT

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. These group of patients often required Tracheostomy for proper management and ventilation. As Surgeons we often required to examine and perform procedures in head and neck patients and are in high risk of exposure to aerosol and droplet contamination. 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.