Tracheostomy and swallowing in times of pandemic. Narrative review

Abstract

The evaluation of swallowing in tracheostomized patients is a challenge in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to review the available bibliography on evaluation and diagnosis of dysphagia in tracheostomized patients and the pertinent care of health professionals in aerosol-generating procedures.

A bibliographic search was undertaken using the following keywords in English and Spanish, as applicable: “tracheostomy”, “dysphagia”, “coronavirus”, “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “swallowing”, “deglutition”, in the electronic databases PubMed, SciELO, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. In addition, the guides published by relevant scientific societies were reviewed.

The evaluation and diagnosis of swallowing disorders implies direct contact with the patient’s upper airway and involve procedures that can generate aerosols. Therefore, it should be carried out timely and in agreement with the entire medical team, always using appropriate personal protective equipment.