Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the implementation of rapidly changing protocols and guidelines related to the indications and perioperative precautions and protocols for tracheostomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate current guidelines for tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a framework for health systems to prepare as the science evolves over the upcoming months and years.Methods: Literature review was performed. Articles reporting clinical practice guidelines for tracheostomy in the context of COVID-19 were included.Results: A total of 13 tracheotomy guidelines were identified. Two were available via PubMed, five in society or organization websites, and six identified via health system websites or other sources. Five were from Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery specialties, six from Anesthesiology and one from Pulmonary/Critical Care. All (100%) studies recommended postponing elective OR cases in COVID-19 positive patients, while seven recommended reducing team members to only essential staff and three recommended forming a designated tracheostomy team. Recommendations with supporting references are summarized in the article. Conclusions: Tracheostomy guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic vary by physician groups and specialty, hospital systems, and supply-chain/resource availability. This summary is provided as a point-in-time current state of the guidelines for tracheotomy management in April 2020 and is expected to change in coming weeks and months as the COVID-19 pandemic, virus testing and antibody testing evolves. K E Y W O R D S

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Objective: To evaluate the success of sole medical therapy (MT) versus surgical therapy (ST) in patients with both clinically and radiographically confirmed peritonsillar abscess (PTA). To also determine treatment safety based on abscess size, and identify predictors of treatment failure. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort of 3 hospitals in a single academic health system. A total of 214 immunocompetent patients diagnosed with uncomplicated PTA underwent a contrasted CT scan of the neck. About 87 patients were treated with sole MT (intravenous antibiotics and steroids), and 127 patients were treated with ST (MT plus drainage). Results: Treatment failure occurred in 8.0% of the MT group and 7.9% of the ST group ( P = 1.00). In PTAs <2 cm, treatment failure occurred in 5.3% of the MT group and 5.0% of the ST group ( P = 1.00). In PTAs ≥2 cm, treatment failure occurred in 13.3% of the MT group and 9.0% treated with ST ( P = .53). Size ≥2 cm (OR – 3.46, P = .08) and IV clindamycin as sole IV antibiotic (OR – 2.46, P = .15) trended toward predicting treatment failure. In addition to those considered failures, 7.0% of the ST group returned to the ED with pain versus 0% of the MT group ( P = .01). Conclusion: Frequency of treatment failure was not significantly different among patients receiving MT and ST. Abscesses ≥2 cm in size were more likely to fail in both groups and ST was not statistically superior. Sole MT for uncomplicated PTA may help reduce unnecessary procedures and healthcare costs.

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Background: The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) is spread through aerosol and fine droplets, and poses many challenges to medical practitioners. Otolaryngologists are at an exceptionally high-risk, due to common aerosol-generating procedures such as tracheostomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical guidelines for tracheostomy in reference to SARS-CoV-2 and provide a collective summary of recommendations.Methods: Literature review was performed. Articles reporting clinical practice guidelines for tracheostomy in the context of SARS-CoV-2 were included.Results: Tracheostomies are a common surgical procedure performed by otolaryngologists. There may be expanding indications in the COVID-19 patient population. Ventilation using a tracheostomy has many potential benefits and a summary of recommendations for tracheostomy (elective or emergent) and tracheostomy management in COVID-19 positive patients are detailed within this article. Conclusions:In patients testing positive for COVID-19, this summary of recommendations serves as a guideline along with institutional protocols.