EXPERIENCE OF SURGICAL TRACHEOSTOMY IN COVID-19 HOSPITAL

Objective: To share our experience of tracheostomy in COVID-19 positive patients. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Apr to Jul 2020. Methodology: A total of 94 COVID-19 positive cases admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of this hospital, placed on ventilatory support and who ultimately underwent tracheostomy (whether percutaneous or surgical) were included in the study. Patients were included irrespective of any age group or gender. Results: Out of 94 patients placed on ventilator, tracheostomy was performed only in 17 patients. Male predominance was 13 (76%), with mean age of patients as 55.59 ± 12.93 in 12 patients, surgical tracheostomy was performed (70.58%) whereas in 5 (29.4%) cases percutaneous tracheostomy was done. On post-operative follow-up 8 out of 17 (47%) patients recovered and were successfully decannulated whereas 9 (52.9%) patients could not survive. Tracheostomy was successfully performed as early as 8th day of mechanical ventilator support. Health Care Workers (HCWs) involved were subjected to RT-PCR and remained negative for SARS- CoV-2. There was statistically significant association between the type and indication oftracheostomy, p=0.002. Conclusion: Tracheostomy, in COVID-19 positive patients, being aerosol- generating procedure remains a medical hazard for the HCWs. By following strict safety protocols according to the medical resources available and training of the HCWs, it can be performed with complete safety. It can be done as early as 8th day of ventilator support.