Subjects and setting
From September 2020 to April 2021, patients presenting to our
laryngology unit with severe-to-critical COVID-19 infection and
intubation histories were consecutively included. Patients consulted for
voice or swallowing disorders that developed in the few weeks/months
after the COVID-19 hospitalization. The COVID-19 infection had to be
confirmed through RT-PCR or serology. The patients with the following
exclusion criteria were excluded from the analysis: asthma and use of
inhaled corticosteroids, neurological or psychiatric illness, previous
history of neck surgery or trauma, malignancy, history of head and neck
radiotherapy and tracheal stenosis. The Hospital IRB reviewed and
approved the study (ref.202201). A waiver of informed consent of study
participants was granted because participant data were protected and
anonymized.