Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation
Published on: January 17, 2011
The Effects of Endotracheal Suctioning in the Pediatric Population: An Integrative Review
1Anna C. Fisk, PhD, RN, CCRN, is a clinical coordinator, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Dr Fisk is an experienced pediatric cardiac intensive care nurse with an interest in education and research. She received her PhD in Nursing Research at Medical University of South Carolina. Her research interest is the care of patients with congenital and acquired heart disease, particularity in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. She is currently the clinical coordinator of Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Boston Children's Hospital.
Insights
Endotracheal suctioning in critically ill children can cause adverse effects, including pain and neurovascular changes. Research on these pediatric stressors is limited, highlighting a need for further investigation into the practice.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Nursing research
- Respiratory therapy
Background:
- Endotracheal tube suctioning is a common procedure for critically ill pediatric patients to maintain airway patency.
- This routine practice carries potential risks and adverse effects for young patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate existing research on the stressors associated with endotracheal suctioning in pediatric patients.
- To understand the subsequent effects of this procedure on the pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- An integrative literature review was performed using the Whittemore and Knafl modified framework.
- Literature searches were conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus databases.
- Articles were selected and evaluated to synthesize current evidence on endotracheal suctioning stressors in children.
Main Results:
- The review included 14 articles covering 849 pediatric patients (neonates to 17 years).
- Key findings categorized into neurovascular, respiratory, and pain-related effects; pain was the most frequently reported.
- A significant portion of studies focused on premature neonates, often excluding children with complex congenital conditions.
Conclusions:
- The current body of literature on the effects of endotracheal suctioning in children is notably limited.
- Numerous extrapersonal, interpersonal, and intrapersonal stressors associated with the procedure warrant further in-depth research.
Background:
Critically ill pediatric patients with endotracheal tubes routinely receive endotracheal tube suctioning to clear secretions and ensure tube patency. This common practice can result in adverse effects.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the research literature on the stressors of endotracheal suctioning and consequent effect on the pediatric patient.
Methods:
An integrative review was conducted using the Whittemore and Knafl modified framework for integrative reviews, and article selection was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses flow diagram. A literature search was conducted via PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Scopus. Selected articles were evaluated to present the current evidence on the stressors of endotracheal suctioning in the pediatric population.
Results:
This review includes 14 articles, with a total of 849 patients, ranging in age from premature neonates to 17 years of age. The available literature aligned into 3 categories: neurovascular effects, respiratory systems effects, and pain related to endotracheal tube suctioning. Pain was the most prevalent category, with half of the studies using endotracheal suctioning as a painful procedure to validate pain assessment tools rather than examining the effect of suctioning. A majority of the studies (67%) were conducted in the premature neonate population. Children with congenital cardiac or pulmonary defects, genetic syndromes, or neurological injuries were frequently excluded.
Conclusions:
Literature regarding the effects of endotracheal suctioning in children is limited. There are many extrapersonal, interpersonal, and intrapersonal stressors associated with endotracheal suctioning that merit future research.
More Related Videos
07:15Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation
Published on: December 5, 2025
04:30Endotracheal Intubation Using a Flexible Intubation Endoscope as a Standardized Model for Safe Airway Management in Swine
Published on: August 25, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:23Tracheostomy Suctioning II: Procedure
01:25Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
01:26Tracheostomy Suctioning I: Pre-Procedural Steps
Equipment Required
First, gather all necessary equipment: a sterile suction catheter, a sterile disposable container, sterile gloves, a towel or...
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
01:15Endotracheal Intubation I: Procedure
The ET tube comprises various components, including a standard adaptor to attach a bag-valve-mask (BVM) or ventilator, a cuff, a pilot balloon, and radiopaque markings along its length to measure the insertion distance. The tube sizes...
01:26Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...