Introduction
Patients who become severely ill from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have a high likelihood of needing prolonged intubation, making tracheostomy a likely consideration. The ...infectious nature of COVID‐19 poses an additional risk of transmission to healthcare workers that should be taken into consideration.
Methods
We explore current literature and recommendations for tracheostomy in patients with COVID‐19 and look back at previous data from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS‐CoV‐1), the virus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003.
Results
Given the severity and clinical uncertainty of patients with COVID‐19 and the increased risk of transmission to clinicians, careful consideration should be taken prior to performing tracheostomy. If tracheostomy is performed, we recommend a bedside approach to limit exposure time and number of exposed personnel. Bronchoscopy use with a percutaneous approach should be limited in order to decrease viral exposure.
Conclusion
Thorough preprocedural planning, use of experienced personnel, enhanced personal protective equipment where available, and a thoughtful anesthesia approach are instrumental in maximizing positive patient outcomes while successfully protecting the safety of healthcare personnel. Laryngoscope, 130:2546–2549, 2020
The aim of this study was to report the safety, efficacy, and early results of tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 and determine whether differences exist between percutaneous and open methods.
...Prolonged respiratory failure is common in symptomatic patients with COVID-19, the disease process caused by infection with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Tracheostomy, although posing potential risk to the operative team and other healthcare workers, may be beneficial for safe weaning of sedation and ventilator support. However, short- and long-term outcomes remain largely unknown.
A prospectively collected database of patients with COVID-19 undergoing tracheostomy at a major medical center in New York City between April 4 and April 30, 2020 was reviewed. The primary endpoint was need for continued mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes included complication rates, sedation weaning, and need for intensive care unit (ICU) level of care. Patient characteristics, perioperative conditions, and outcomes between percutaneous and open groups were analyzed.
During the study period, 67 consecutive patients underwent tracheostomy, including 48 males and 19 females with a median age of 66 years interquartile range (IQR) 52-72. Two surgeons alternated techniques, with 35 tracheostomies performed percutaneously and 32 via an open approach. The median time from intubation to tracheostomy was 23 days (IQR 20-26). At a median follow-up of 26 days, 52 patients (78%) no longer required mechanical ventilation and 58 patients (87%) were off continuous sedation. Five patients (7.5%) died of systemic causes. There were 11 total complications (16%) in 10 patients, most of which involved minor bleeding. There were no significant differences in outcomes between percutaneous and open methods.
Tracheostomy under apneic conditions by either percutaneous or open technique can be safely performed in patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Tracheostomy facilitated weaning from continuous intravenous sedation and mechanical ventilation. Continued follow-up of these patients to ascertain long-term outcome data is ongoing.
Objective
To understand the etiology of tracheotomy‐induced tracheal stenosis by comparing the differences in techniques and mechanical force applied with open tracheotomy (OT) versus percutaneous ...tracheotomy (PCT) placement.
Methods
This study is an unblinded, experimental, randomized controlled study in an ex‐vivo animal model. Simulated tracheostomies were performed on 10 porcine tracheas, 5 via a tracheal window technique (OT) and 5 using the Ciaglia technique (PCT). The applied weight during the simulated tracheostomy and the compression of the trachea were recorded at set times during the procedure. The applied weight during tracheostomy was used to calculate the tissue force in Newtons. Tracheal compression was measured by anterior–posterior distance compression and as percent change.
Results
Average forces for scalpel (OT) versus trocar (PCT) were 2.6 N and 12.5 N (p < 0.01), with the dilator (PCT) it was 22.02 N (p < 0.01). The tracheostomy placement with OT required an average force of 10.7 N versus 23.2 N (p < 0.01) with PCT. The average change in AP distance when using the scalpel versus trocar was 21%, and 44% (p < 0.01), with the dilator it was 75% (p < 0.01). The trach placement with OT versus PCT had an average AP distance change of 51% and 83% respectively (p < 0.01).
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that PCT required more force and caused more tracheal lumen compression when compared to the OT technique. Based on the increased force required for PCT, we suspect there could also be an increased risk for tracheal cartilage trauma.
Level of Evidence
NA Laryngoscope, 134:103–107, 2024
This study demonstrates that percutaneous tracheostomy techniques require more force than open tracheostomy techniques, and thus have an increased risk for trauma and tracheal injury.
Management of patients with a tracheostomy tube includes many components of care provided by clinicians from various health care disciplines. In recent years, clinicians worldwide have demonstrated a ...renewed interest in the management of patients with tracheostomy due to the recognition that more effective and efficient management of this patient population is necessary to decrease morbidity and mortality and to optimize the value of the procedure. Commensurate with the goal of enhancing the care of patients with tracheostomy, we conducted a systematic review to facilitate the development of recommendations relevant to the care of adult patients with tracheostomy in the acute care setting. From our systematic review, clinical practice guidelines were developed to address questions regarding the impact of tracheostomy bundles, tracheostomy teams, and protocol-directed care on time to decannulation, length of stay, tracheostomy-related cost, tracheostomy-related adverse events, and other tracheostomy-related outcomes in tracheostomized adult patients in the acute care setting. Using a modification of the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, 3 recommendations were developed to assist clinicians with tracheostomy management of adult patients in the acute care setting: (1) evidence supports the use of tracheostomy bundles that have been evaluated and approved by a team of individuals experienced in tracheostomy management to decrease time to decannulation, tracheostomy-related adverse events, and other tracheostomy-related outcomes, namely, improved tolerance of oral diet; (2) evidence supports the addition of a multidisciplinary tracheostomy team to improve time to decannulation, length of stay, tracheostomy-related adverse events, and other tracheostomy-related outcomes, namely, increased speaking valve use; (3) evidence supports the use of a weaning/decannulation protocol to guide weaning and removal of the tracheostomy tube to improve time to decannulation.
Surgical tracheostomy (ST) and Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) are classified as high-risk aerosol-generating procedures and might lead to healthcare workers (HCW) infection. Albeit the ...COVID-19 strain slightly released since the vaccination era, preventing HCW from infection remains a major economical and medical concern. To date, there is no study monitoring particle emissions during ST and PDT in a clinical setting. The aim of this study was to monitor particle emissions during ST and PDT in a swine model.
A randomized animal study on swine model with induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was conducted. A dedicated room with controlled airflow was used to standardize the measurements obtained using an airborne optical particle counter. 6 ST and 6 PDT were performed in 12 pigs. Airborne particles (diameter of 0.5 to 3 μm) were continuously measured; video and audio data were recorded. The emission of particles was considered as significant if the number of particles increased beyond the normal variations of baseline particle contamination determinations in the room. These significant emissions were interpreted in the light of video and audio recordings. Duration of procedures, number of expiratory pauses, technical errors and adverse events were also analyzed.
10 procedures (5 ST and 5 PDT) were fully analyzable. There was no systematic aerosolization during procedures. However, in 1/5 ST and 4/5 PDT, minor leaks and some adverse events (cuff perforation in 1 ST and 1 PDT) occurred. Human factors were responsible for 1 aerosolization during 1 PDT procedure. ST duration was significantly shorter than PDT (8.6 ± 1.3 vs 15.6 ± 1.9 minutes) and required less expiratory pauses (1 vs 6.8 ± 1.2).
COVID-19 adaptations allow preventing for major aerosol leaks for both ST and PDT, contributing to preserving healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak, but failed to achieve a perfectly airtight procedure. However, with COVID-19 adaptations, PDT required more expiratory pauses and more time than ST. Human factors and adverse events may lead to aerosolization and might be more frequent in PDT.
Objective
To report the long‐term outcome of utilization of a silicone stent to support the management of a permanent tracheostomy.
Study design
Short case series.
Animals
Two client‐owned ...brachycephalic dogs.
Methods
Two brachycephalic dogs with stage III laryngeal collapse underwent permanent tracheostomy. After the tracheostomy had healed, a silicone stent was inserted to support the stoma and facilitate home care. One dog wore a commercially available silicone stent for the follow‐up period of 2 years. For the dog in Case 2, a 3D‐printed, medical‐grade silicone stent with an increased length was designed, as the dog had developed skin sores from the commercial device.
Results
Both dogs tolerated the silicone stent well. Stent care was managed by the owners without need for assistance. They reported that the silicone stent facilitated cleaning of the stoma surroundings and that they felt an increased confidence in airway patency, as the device prevented the tracheal stoma from collapsing. In Case 1, tracheoscopy 1 year after first stent insertion revealed minimal visible changes to the tracheal stoma. In Case 2, the 3D printed silicone stent led to a remission of skin sores and the dog wore the device comfortably until succumbing to an unrelated disease 13 months later.
Conclusion
The insertion of a silicone stent is a simple and cost‐effective method to improve home care of dogs with permanent tracheostomy. Larger dogs, as in Case 2, may benefit from custom‐designed 3D‐printed stents.
Purpose
Tracheostomy is one of the most frequently performed procedures in intensive care medicine. The two main approaches are open surgical tracheostomy (ST) and percutaneous dilatational ...tracheostomy (PDT). This systematic review summarizes and analyzes the existing evidence regarding perioperative and postoperative parameters of safety.
Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, and MEDLINE to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing complications of ST and PDT and to define the strategy with the lower risk of potentially life-threatening events. Risk of bias was assessed using the criteria outlined in the Cochrane Handbook.
Results
Twenty-four citations comprising 1795 procedures (PDT:
n
= 926; ST:
n
= 869) were found suitable for systematic review. No significant difference in the risk of a potentially life-threatening event (risk difference (RD) 0.01, 95% CI − 0.03 to 0.05,
P
= 0.62,
I
2
= 47%) was found between PDT and ST. There was no difference in mortality (RD − 0.00, 95% CI − 0.01 to 0.01,
P
= 0.88,
I
2
= 0%). An increased rate of technical difficulties was shown for PDT (RD 0.04, 95% CI 0.01, 0.08,
P
= 0.01,
I
2
= 60%). Stomal infection occurred more often with ST (RD − 0.05, 95% CI − 0.08 to − 0.02,
P
= 0.003,
I
2
= 60%). Both techniques can be safely performed on the ICU. Meta-analysis of the duration of procedure was not possible owing to high heterogeneity (
I
2
= 99%).
Conclusion
ST and PDT are safe techniques with low incidence of complications. Both techniques can be performed successfully in an ICU setting. ST can be performed on every patient whereas PDT is restricted by several contraindications like abnormal anatomy, previous surgery, coagulopathies, or difficult airway of the patient.
Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42015021967
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