Results
The median procedure length was 20 minutes, ranging from
15~29 minutes. The total period of airway loss was
approximately 30 seconds. The massive thick tracheobronchial secretions
were found after incision of the trachea in case 2, case 3, case 5 and
case 13. Complications attributable to open tracheostomy, were not
observed in our study. By April 17, 2020, out of fourteen patients on
prolonged mechanical ventilation, five patients (cases 1-3, case 5 and
case 8) achieved successful weaning in the follow-up period, and one
patient (case 4) has been incompletely liberated (Table 1). Three (case
7, case 9 and case 10) had died (Table 1). No related medical staff was
diagnosed with COVID-19 in a follow-up period of at least two weeks
after surgeries, evidenced by absence of symptoms and negative result by
polymerase chain reaction testing of a nasopharyngeal sample.