Randomized crossover trial of endotracheal tube suctioning systems use in newborns

Maintaining endotracheal tube patency is critical for neonates receiving mechanical ventilation. Endotracheal tube suctioning removes accumulated secretions preventing potential adverse events, however is also potentially hazardous to the patient.

To compare respiratory rate, arterial blood oxygen saturation, heart rate and pain in newborns undergoing endotracheal tube suctioning with closed (CS) and open (OS) systems.

Randomized crossover trial with 13 newborns from two Brazilian hospitals. The respiratory rate, arterial blood oxygen saturation, heart rate and pain (Premature Infant Pain Profile) were analysed: immediately before (T1), during (T2), immediately after (T3), 10 min after (T4) and 30 min (T5) after endotracheal suctioning.

The majority (11/85·0%) of the newborns were premature and 45% weighed less than 1000 g. No statistically significant difference was identified according to the use of CS or OS to all the parameters investigated. The main results demonstrated that in T2 arterial blood oxygen saturation was higher with CS (CS 93·0%; OS 89 · 0%; p = 0·561). In T3 there was an increase in respiratory rate average only with the use of OS (T1 50·0; T3 56·0). The pain score in T2 and heart rate in T3 were higher with OS without significant differences (p = 0·114; p = 0·479, respectively).

There was no significant difference in the studied clinical parameters or presence and intensity of pain according to the two investigated techniques of endotracheal tube suctioning.

This research can provide support for clinical practice regarding endotracheal tube suctioning of newborns describing that the use of closed systems was similar to the open system regarding pain presence and intensity, as well as, in the clinical effects analysed, in accordance with other studies produced in this field.