A simple method of reducing complications of pediatric nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage.
Our objective was to determine whether a simple method of maintaining positive pressure ventilation during nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (NB-BAL) would successfully reduce the incidence and/or severity of desaturation events. Our design was a clinical trial with historical controls. Seventy ventilated pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic NB-BAL participated. Two NB-BAL techniques were compared: 1) the "unsealed" method, where the suction catheter was passed through an open system, maintaining oxygenation but not airway pressure; and 2) the "sealed" technique, which was identical except that the catheter was passed through a diaphragm, maintaining positive pressure ventilation throughout. NB-BAL was performed on 35 patients using the "unsealed" technique and 2 years later on 35 patients using the "sealed" method. Heart rate and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO(2)) were recorded before, during, and after NB-BAL. There was no difference between groups with regard to demographic data, oxygenation, or ventilatory requirements (P >or= 0.1). The "sealed" group experienced a median drop in SaO(2) of 6.0% (range, -6% to 44%), and the "unsealed" group a drop of 13.0% (-2% to 61%), during NB-BAL (P < 0.05). Patients with oxygenation index greater than 10 experienced the most severe desaturation events in both groups: 53.8% of patients in the "sealed" group with oxygenation index >10 desaturated to <80% vs. 91.6% in the "unsealed" group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we describe a simple, inexpensive modification of the NB-BAL technique that reduces the incidence and severity of desaturation during NB-BAL.
Physiotherapy Department, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. bmorrow@ich.uct.ac.za
Brenda
B
Morrow
Merle
M
Futter
Andrew
A
Argent
D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration
D010108:Oxyhemoglobins