[Tracheostomy during novel corona virus pandemic].

Recently, 6 percent of COVID-19 patients required prolonged mechanical ventilation due to severe respiratory failure. Early tracheostomy prevents the risk of postintubation upper airway stenosis. In the pandemic, all surgical interventions that generate aerosol increase the risk of contamination of the medical staff, for which reason the "traditional" indications of tracheostomy have to be revised. Authors present their recommendations based on international experiences. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(19): 767-770.