Alternative to traditional noninvasive ventilation using a modified snorkel mask in a patient with SARS-COV2: A case report

Montalvo, Raul; Castro, Eyner; Chavez, Alvaro

INTRODUCTION: The lack of mechanical ventilators for patients with COVID-19 has necessitated the use of other noninvasive ventilation (NIV) systems. One of these NIV systems is the use of an adapted snorkel mask with inspiration valves and pressure valve (PEEP). CASE AND OUTCOMES: A 48-year-old man with no previous history of lung disease was admitted to the emergency room with a diagnosis of acute respiratory failure due to SARS-COV2. The patient did not improve saturation with the use of the reservoir mask. Oxygenation was started using an adapted snorkel mask with a PEEP valve with an alveolar recruitment function and double oxygen flow. The patient presented clinical and radiological improvement after 2 days of use and was discharged 16 days later. DISCUSSION: The use of a snorkel mask is an important, viable, and simpler NIV modality for the management of patients with COVID-19 with respiratory failure who fail to use a reservoir mask, and it can be an alternative before the use of a mechanical ventilator. CONCLUSION: The use of the adapted snorkel mask with Charlotte valve and PEEP is a feasible alternative for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.