CORONA-steps for tracheotomy in COVID-19 patients: A staff-safe method for airway management

CORONA-steps for tracheotomy in COVID-19 patients: A staff-safe method for airway management

“…Recently an editorial titled, "CORONA-steps for tracheotomy in COVID-19 patients: a staff-safe method for airway management", was published by Pichi et al in the journal Oral Oncology [1].…”

“…It is known that tracheotomy represents a high-risk procedure due to the possibility of infection to surgeons, nurses and staff, as it generates aerosols. In the paper by Pichi and others published in your journal [1], the authors have clearly outlined all steps to work safely in the case of tracheotomy on a Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19 patient), considering all the technical and logistic issues the matter demands. The acronym CORONA was used to summarize all passages in a chronological order, as to make it easy to remember all steps even in stressful moments.…”

CORONA-steps for tracheotomy in COVID-19 patients: A staff-safe method for airway management

“…We read the editorial article by Pichi et al [1] about staff safety during tracheostomy procedures on patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with interest. Health-care workers are expected to work every day with COVID-19 patients, and protecting them is essential to enable them work safely and avoid being infected.…”

“…Even if tracheostomy procedures can be used in COVID-19 patient management, no evidence-based recommendations for the protection of healthcare workers performing tracheostomies for these patients exist to date. Pichi et al [1] proposed a step-bystep procedure using the acronym CORONA: Covering yourself (C), Operating Room setting (OR), Opening the trachea (O), and Nursing and Airway management (NA). We completely agree about the use of personal protective measures and post-tracheostomy care.…”

“…Two tracheostomy procedures are currently available: open tracheostomy (OT) and percutaneous tracheostomy (PT). The first, which Pichi et al [1] recommend, is surgically performed, most often in an operating room (OR). The surgeon inserts a tracheostomy tube following skin incision, muscle retraction, and a wide opening of the trachea.…”