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Table 6 Characteristics of included studies on tracheotomies

From: Clinical evidence based review and recommendations of aerosol generating medical procedures in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author, year

Study Design

Level of Evidence

Subjects (n)

Study Groups

Study outcomes

Conclusion

Directness of evidence

Chen, 2009 [29]

Retrospective cohort study

3

758

HCWs involved in care of SARS patients

Risk factors for SARS infection in HCWs, based on survey.

Univariate regression reveals increased OR for developing SARS: 4.15 (1.50–11.50), but this was not significant in their multivariate log regression analysis, which did not reveal an increased risk of performing tracheotomy.

Indirect

Wei, 2003 [30]

Cohort study, with high risk of bias

4

3

HCWs involved in SARS patients, requiring tracheotomies

SARS infection in HCWs, 3 tracheotomies

No medical personnel became infected after carrying out the procedure.

Indirect

Chee, 2004 [31]

Case control

4

124 HCWs

HCWs involved in care of SARS patients

SARS infection in HCWs. 41 surgical procedures, including 15 tracheotomies

No transmission of SARS was reported within the operating room

Indirect

Tien, 2005 [32]

Cohort study, with high risk of bias

4

3

HCWs involved in care of SARS patients

SARS infection in HCWs, 3 tracheotomies

Six months after the procedure, all staff involved in the tracheotomies remained healthy

Indirect

  1. HCWs health care workers
  2. SARS severe acute respiratory syndrome
  3. OR odds ratio