Comparing the Outcomes of Tracheostomy in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Patients
Issued Date
2025-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01455613
eISSN
19427522
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105019238082
Pubmed ID
41059731
Journal Title
Ear Nose and Throat Journal
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Ear Nose and Throat Journal (2025)
Suggested Citation
Kittipattana A., Keskool P., Vathanophas V., Sureepong P., Thipphayarom S. Comparing the Outcomes of Tracheostomy in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Patients. Ear Nose and Throat Journal (2025). doi:10.1177/01455613251382742 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/112793
Title
Comparing the Outcomes of Tracheostomy in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Patients
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Objective: To assess and compare tracheostomy outcomes between COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective and prospective cohort study included patients over 18 years of age who underwent tracheostomy at a tertiary care hospital. We divided patients into 2 groups: 41 with COVID-19 and 156 without COVID-19. Primary outcomes were successful tracheostomy tube downsizing and removal, ventilator weaning, length of hospital stay, and mortality rate. Statistical analyses compared outcomes between groups. Results: COVID-19 patients achieved higher rates of successful tracheostomy tube downsizing (54.2% vs 9.6%, P < .001) and removal (36.6% vs 7.1%, P = .05) than non-COVID-19 patients. Mortality was lower in COVID-19 patients (29.3% vs 40.4%), although ventilator liberation rates were similar (P = .346). COVID-19 patients had longer hospital stays (64 vs 56 days); however, this difference was not statistically significant. We observed no significant differences in postoperative or long-term complications between groups. COVID-19 infection and age ≤60 years were factors associated with accelerated decannulation. COVID-19 patients demonstrated significantly higher rates of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (P < .001). Conclusions: Despite lower mortality, COVID-19 patients achieved higher rates of tracheostomy tube downsizing and decannulation than non-COVID-19 patients. Ventilator liberation, hospital stay duration, and complication rates remained similar between groups.