[Alteration of oxygen saturation during endotracheal aspiration]

This study verified the occurrence of oxygen saturation alteration during endotracheal aspiration. Patients were adults aged from 17 to 70, admitted due to either neurologic diseases, neuro or abdominal surgical affections. All were devoid of pulmonary pathology. Suction endotracheal catheters numbers 12, 14, and 16 were used. Variation in oxygen saturation was discrete and similar in the use of the three experimental catheters but, for practical purposes, numbers 12 and 14 proved to be easier to operate and more comfortable for the patients.