Closed versus open endotracheal tube suction in mechanically ventilated neonates: a randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of closed versus open endotracheal tube suction in reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia in mechanically ventilated neonates. In this open-label, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with allocation concealment, ventilated neonates (≥ 28 weeks and ≥ 800 g) were either allocated to the closed-suction group (n = 41) or open-suction group (n = 39). The ventilator circuit of the babies enrolled in the closed-suction group was attached to the closed-suction catheter on the requirement of their first suction, and it was changed after every 48 h or earlier if visibly soiled whereas babies enrolled in the open-suction group were suctioned with a new suction catheter each time they require suction. The primary outcome was the incidence of VAP per 1000 days. Baseline maternal and neonatal characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The proportion of neonates with VAP in the closed-suction group was 3 (7.3%) and 1 (2.6%) in the open-suction group with an RR of 2.8 (95% CI: 0.30-26.28) and a p-value of 0.35. The incidence of VAP in the closed-suction group was 3.9 per 1000 ventilator days and 1.3 per 1000 ventilator days in the open-suction group. The incidence of clinical VAP/1000 ventilator days was 33.63 ± 22.96 in the closed-suction group and 28.67 ± 12.32 in the open-suction group with a mean difference of 5 (95% CI: - 3.26 to 13.26) and p-value of 0.24.

In a unit with a low incidence of VAP, the effect of the endotracheal suction method alone did not impact the occurrence of VAP in the study population.

CTRI/2020/03/023679; Date: 17.02.2020.

• Better physiological stability of the closed-suctioning method on short-term measures including noticeably fewer episodes of hypoxia, a smaller drop in TcPO2 levels, and less variability in heart rate and bradycardia episodes.

• In a unit with a low incidence of VAP in the neonates, randomized control trial studying the effect of the endotracheal suction method alone did not impact the occurrence of VAP amongst the study population.