osol-generation [4]. Recently someinternational guidelines have recommended a percutaneous approach [5-6].
Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) was one of the first centres in the UK to treat COVID-19 patients, and hence make decisions about tracheostomy. As of 24th April 2020 there were 171 completed critical care admissions with a further 104 currently receiving treatment for COVID-19 pneumonitis. Our mortality rate is currently 33%. In March 2020 we developed a dedicated ENT-led tracheostomy team, through close collaboration with intensive care and anaesthetics. Indications for tracheostomy were agreed,intensive training and simulation was undertaken, and our standardisedprotocol for PT and recommendation is described in detail in ourrecent publication [7].
The aim of this paper is to analyse the intra-operative and short-term outcomes associated with tracheostomy for COVID-19 pneumonitis when performed in line with current guidance.