Repeat percutaneous tracheostomy in a COVID-19 patient

A 73-year-old man with history of hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was admitted to the emergency department with acute respiratory failure from COVID-19. After 10 days of mechanical ventilation (MV) the patient underwent a successful trial of extubation. However, 3 days later his neurological status deteriorated and required re-intubation. A brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed right cerebellar hemorrhage. Considering extent and location of the hemorrhage we decided to perform a percutaneous tracheostomy on the 18th day. The patient was then successfully weaned from MV (day 47th), and finally decannulated (day 50th). On day 62nd, the patient experienced an episode of septic shock, requiring oro-tracheal re-intubation, for we decided to perform a repeat percutaneous tracheostomy. All the procedure steps were uneventful. The patient was subsequently transferred to another ICU, and then successfully discharged to the Respiratory Ward.