Tracheostomy is common in critically ill COVID-19 patients. In patients predicted to need a tracheostomy at some point, early, rather than late, tracheostomy might be a means to reduce the time spent in ICU.

However, we do not have sufficient evidence to suggest that early tracheostomy reduces mortality or weaning rates, compared with late tracheostomy.

The study is a retrospective two-center cohort study.

All COVID-19 patients admitted to critical care in the Region Östergötland County Council, Sweden, between March 2020 and September 2021 were included.

Of 319 identified patients (70% men), 249 (78%) underwent endotracheal intubation.

Of these, 145 (58%) underwent tracheostomy and 99 (68%) were performed early.

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