Tracheostomy in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Purpose The role of tracheostomy in COVID-19-related ARDS is unknown. Nowadays, there is no clear indication regarding the timing of tracheostomy in these patients. Methods We describe our synergic experience between ENT and ICU Departments at University Hospital of Modena underlining some controversial aspects that would be worth discussing tracheostomies in these patients. During the last 2 weeks, we performed 28 tracheostomies on patients with ARDS due to COVID-19 infection who were treated with IMV. Results No diferences between percutaneous and surgical tracheostomy in terms of timing and no case of team virus infection. Conclusion In our experience, tracheostomy should be performed only in selected patients within 7- and 14-day orotracheal intubation.