Abstract
M.Cur.
Suctioning of endotracheal tubes, in premature infants with respiratory distress
syndrome, who are undergoing mechanical ventilation, is viewed as a necessary
nursing practise to prevent tube obstruction.
The purpose of the study was to determine whether preoxygenation by
hyperoxygenation prevents transcient hypoxaemia, during endotracheal tube suctioning,
of ventilated neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.
An extensive literature survey confirmed that endotracheal tube suctioning, results in
transcient hypoxaemia and demonstrates that this is reflected in the brain, by
vasodilatation and deoxygenation : predisposing to the genesis of intra-ventricular
haemorrhages and neurodevelopmental problems. The survey further indicated that
these effects are preventable by preoxygenation before endotracheal tube suctioning.
Twelve premature babies were then used in the study to determine whether
preoxygenation by hyperoxygenation prevents transcient hypoxaemia, during
endotracheal tube suctioning.
The following conclusions during suctioning with preoxygenation were reached, by
statistically processing the results :
Bradycardia still occurred but at a significantly lesser degree.
Significantly less desaturation.
Smaller increase in mean blood pressure.
Significantly faster recovery to baseline heart rate, transcutaneous oximeter
saturation and respiration and a markedly faster recovery to baseline mean blood
pressure.
The mean arterial blood gas and partial pressure of oxygen showed a slight
increase after suctioning.
Nursing guidelines were established for beneficial suctioning techniques for premature
babies and recommendations were made for further research.