[Humidification and aspiration of the respiratory tract in patients with mechanical ventilation]

Mechanical ventilation through endotracheal prosthesis, suppresses the nose functions and stops elimination of secretions. It is mandatory to heat artificially, humidify insufflated gas and to suction tracheobronchial secretions. Heating humidifiers are very efficient for the first purpose but heat and moisture exchangers, a little less efficient, seem to be a good alternative as they are easiest to use and offer a good bacterial protection. Tracheobronchial suctioning has to be carried out at least each four hours and at the best as soon as adventitious sound are heard in the chest. Suction catheters have to be atraumatic; vacuum has to be between -200 to -400 cm H2O; catheter have not to be pushed further than the carina; suction hypoxemia can be reduced by shortening suction maneuver, by using suction catheter with little diameter, by conducting the suction on mechanical ventilation.