P226

G. Stratakosa (Prof), N. Anagnostopoulosa (Mr), R. Alsagaafa (Ms), E. Koukaki*a (Ms), K. Bakiria (Ms), P. Emmanouilb (Mr), C. Zisisc (Mr), K. Vachlasd (Mr), C. Vourlakoue (Ms), V. Andronadif (Ms), A. Koutsoukoua (Prof)

a Interventional Pulmonology Unit of the1st Respiratory Medicine Department National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. “Sotiria” General Hospital, Athens, Greece, Athens, GREECE ; b Interventional Pulmonology Unit of Mediterraneo Hospital, Athens, Greece, Athens, GREECE ; c Thoracic Surgery Department of Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece, Athens, GREECE ; d Thoracic Surgery Department of Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece, Athens, GREECE ; e Pathology Department of Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece, Athens, GREECE ; f Anesthesiology Department of Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece, Athens, GREECE

* e.koukaki@yahoo.gr

Background: In the COVID-19 era, increased need for ICU admission, long-term intubation and delayed tracheostomy might lead to an unprecedented increase in airway stenoses, tracheoesophageal fistulae and other central airway complications (CAC).

Methods: Covid and post-covid cases referred to our department for airway complications during the past 2 years were collected.

Results: 25 cases of post-intubation tracheal stenosis and/or tracheoesophageal fistula, 1 case of foreign body aspiration (rhinopharyngeal tube) and 1 case of massive alveolar / airway hemorrhage were included. All patients underwent tracheal intubation and 12 had tracheostomy performed 20±7 days after intubation The histopathology of the airway lesions revealed no specific findings related with viral tracheitis per se. All patients were managed successfully.

Conclusion: We confirm an increased incidence of CAC in patients intubated for COVID 19. It is essential to maintain a high level of suspicion for these complications and include them in the differential diagnoses of stridor in patients recently hospitalized.

Disclosure of funding source(s): none