The COVID-Box for tracheostomy: Additional complexity and unanswered questions

We read with interest the report by Filho and colleagues describing their prototype barrier device for open tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic Auris Nasus Larynx. 2020 May 8. pii: S0385-8146(20)30119-X [1]. We agree that not all countries or institutions have access to what might be considered the optimal environment and equipment to safely undertake tracheostomy in patients recovering from COVID-19, but we have some concerns about promoting a barrier device to address these needs. These concerns are based on our own experiences of simulated airway management behind barrier enclosures, and from other reports in the literature [2,3].

Source: Auris, Nasus, Larynx - June 30, 2020 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: T. Huda, P.D.G. Alexander, B. McGrath, C. Shelton Source Type: research