A severe case of novel coronavirus-associated pneumonia ; avoiding tracheotomy and withdrawal from long-term artificial ventilation management

Abstract

A 66-year-old man visited a local doctor with complaints of fever and dizziness. A high-resolution computed tomography scan of the chest revealed ground glass opacities, followed by diagnosis of novel coronavirus infection. The patient was referred to our hospital with advanced respiratory failure and placed under respiratory management. Tracheotomy was avoided to prevent the spread of infection, and extubation was performed on day 27 of hospitalization. Although this case was diagnosed to be serious pneumonia, tracheotomy was avoided despite the necessity of long-term intubation.