key: cord-0790514-h6hk58oh
authors: Tretiakow, Dmitry; Skorek, Andrzej; Narożny, Waldemar
title: In Reference to Voice, Swallow and Airway Outcomes Following Tracheostomy for COVID‐19
date: 2021-02-26
journal: Laryngoscope
DOI: 10.1002/lary.29484
sha: aa73534b5b8d0047b78f1cd9d6a348d644b7dc27
doc_id: 790514
cord_uid: h6hk58oh

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In Reference to Voice, Swallow and Airway Outcomes Following Tracheostomy for COVID-19

Dear Editor:

We read with huge interest the manuscript of Rouhani et al. entitled "A Prospective Study of Voice, Swallow, and Airway Outcomes following Tracheostomy for COVID-19". 1 The authors revealed the high incidence of laryngeal injury among patients who underwent intubation and tracheostomy insertion during the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems that this is a very interesting observation that can be an important argument in the discussion about the timing of tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19.

Analyzing the literature from the beginning of 2020, we noticed that there is a trend to perform a later tracheotomy (after the 10th day of intubation). 2 Available evidence suggests that viral shedding is maximal in the first week of infection and the most of the article was devoted to safety methods during tracheotomy. 3, 4 On the other hand, the results of the works from the second half of 2020 based on the expanded knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 and the results of several months of observation of patients after decannulation suggest an early tracheotomy (before the 10th day after intubation). 5 Kwak et al. to delay or avoid tracheostomy in COVID-19 patient categorically. 6 Reducing the duration of a tracheostomy is also important in preventing complications. Hernández Martínez et al. as a result of randomized controlled trial revealed that basing the decision to decannulate on suctioning frequency plus continuous high-flow oxygen therapy allow to reduce the time to decannulation. 7 The question of which type of tracheostomy (percutaneous or open tracheostomy) is safer for staff remains controversial. 5 The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.

A prospective study of voice, swallow and airway outcomes following tracheostomy for COVID-19

Delayed tracheostomy in a patient with prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19

Novel percutaneous tracheostomy for critically ll patients with COVID-19

Comparison of tracheal vs nasopharyngeal secretions for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing in patients with tracheostomy

Effect of patient demographics and tracheostomy timing and technique on patient survival

Early Outcomes From Early Tracheostomy for Patients With COVID-19. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

High-flow oxygen with capping or suctioning for tracheostomy Decannulation

Healthcare personnel safety during percutaneous tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19: proof-ofconcept study

Send correspondence to Dmitry Tretiakow, Department of Otolaryngology