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.