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Chow VLY, Chan JYW, Ho VWY, Pang SSY, Lee GCC, Wong MMK, Lo ASH, Lui F, Poon CCM, Wong STS. Tracheostomy during COVID-19 pandemic-Novel approach. Head Neck 2020; 42:1367-1373. [PMID: 32358855 PMCID: PMC7267533 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study describes a novel approach in reducing SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission during tracheostomy. Methods Five patients underwent tracheostomy between April 1, 2020 and April 17, 2020. A clear and sterile plastic drape was used as an additional physical barrier against droplets and aerosols. Operative diagnosis; droplet count and distribution on plastic sheet and face shields were documented. Results Tracheostomy was performed for patients with carcinoma of tonsil (n = 2) and nasopharynx (n = 1), and aspiration pneumonia (n = 2). Droplet contamination was noted on all plastic sheets (n = 5). Droplet contamination was most severe over the central surface at 91.5% (86.7%‐100.0%) followed by the left and right lateral surfaces at 5.2% (6.7%‐10.0%) and 3.3% (6.7%‐10.0%), respectively. No droplet contamination was noted on all face shields. Conclusion Plastic drapes can help reduce viral transmission to health care providers during tracheostomy. Face shields may be spared which in turn helps to conserve resources during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Velda Ling Yu Chow
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jimmy Yu Wai Chan
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Valerie Wai Yee Ho
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sherby Suet Ying Pang
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - George Chung Ching Lee
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Melody Man Kuen Wong
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Arthur Shing Ho Lo
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Frances Lui
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Clara Ching Mei Poon
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Stanley Thian Sze Wong
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
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