Table 3: Timing of tracheotomy in COVID-19 positive patients
Timing of tracheotomy Global and multidisciplinary guidance (21) China experience United State experience (6) UK experience (22) Canada experience (23) Italy experience
Society Experts from renowned medical centers globally Tongji Medical College, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology COVID-19 Tracheotomy Task Force, University of Pennsylvania Health System United Kingdom National Health Service Canadian Society of Otolaryngology S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital
Quality of evidence 4 5 4 4 5 4
Early tracheotomy (before 10 days)  
Late tracheotomy (after 10 days)  
Late tracheotomy (after 14 days)  
Late tracheotomy (after 21 days)  
No recommended timing Performed as last resort Performed at a median of 10 days
Negative COVID-19 testing
Not to perform tracheotomy1