Methods
This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. The
literature search was performed on PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library
including keywords: tracheotomy, tracheostomy, COVID-19, novel
coronavirus, and SARS-CoV-2. Studies included were published between
January 1, 2020 and May 24, 2020. Our inclusion criteria also
encompassed societal guidelines, expert consensuses, recommended
protocols, surgical checklists and papers sharing surgical experiences
in tracheotomy in COVID-19. All other papers, such as those discussing
perceptions and medical training, were excluded. An English language
restriction was applied as well. Abstracts were independently reviewed,
and for those studies fitting the inclusion criteria on the basis of the
title and abstract, the full-text was retrieved and reviewed. Reference
lists were also examined for any additional relevant studies not
identified through the former search. A flow chart diagram of the search
strategy and study selection is provided in
FigureĀ 1.