[Application of endotracheal lavage in neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia].
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of endotracheal lavage in neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).


METHODS
Fifty-eight neonates with VAP between January 2002 and December 2008 were randomly assigned to two groups: lavage and control (n=29 each). After withdrawal from ventilator, both groups received sensitive antibiotics therapy according to sputum culture results as well as supportive treatment. The lavage group was additionally treated with endotracheal lavage (2-3 times daily). The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the average time of mechanical ventilation between the lavage and the control groups. The effective rate in the lavage group (93%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (69%; p<0.05). Three percent of patients in the lavage group required twice or more mechanical ventilation compared with 24% in the control group (p<0.05). Blood gas analysis results were obviously improved in the lavage group 2 hrs after treatment (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Endotracheal lavage can decrease the number in mechanical ventilation and improve therapeutic effects in neonates with VAP.
Lin
Xin-Zhu
XZ
NICU of Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China. xinzhufj@yahoo.com.cn
Ou-Yang
Chang-An
CA
Lai
Ji-Dong
JD
Li
Ya-Dan
YD
Zheng
Zhi
Z
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*; D014132:Trachea