ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Pediatrics 2023 May 08

DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5276.23.07210-5

Copyright © 2023 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Comparison of flexible nasogastric tube and semi-rigid catheter during less invasive surfactant administration

Gergely BALAZS ¹ ✉, Ivett PECSI ¹, Csilla FEHER ¹, Nora KATONA ¹, Tunde KOTORMAN ¹, Balazs KOVACS-PASZTHY ¹, Mariann MARKI ¹, Istvan PATAKI ¹, Magdolna RISZTER ¹, Timea ROZSA ¹, Gusztav BELTEKI ², Tamas KOVACS ¹, Gyorgy BALLA ¹, Andras BALAJTHY ¹

¹ Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary; ² Unit of Neonatal Intensive Care, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK

BACKGROUND: Various flexible and semi-rigid catheter techniques have been reported for surfactant delivery during less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) in preterm infants. Data on the effect of catheter selection on procedural success rates and adverse events are limited. Our objective was to compare the rates of success and adverse events of LISA performed with nasogastric tube and semi-rigid catheter.
METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of data from a quality improvement project. LISA was performed according to the standardized local protocol. Baseline characteristics, data on performance of LISA, degree of difficulty in laryngoscopy and vital parameters after the initiation of LISA were collected and outcomes were compared between groups.
RESULTS: Fifty-six infants were included (21 with nasogastric tube, and 35 with semi-rigid catheter). Procedure success rate (defined as a single LISA attempt resulting in intratracheal administration of the planned dose of surfactant), incidence of adverse events, heart rate and oxygen saturation values and outcomes did not differ significantly between the two groups. When using a nasogastric tube for LISA, a significantly higher fraction of inspired oxygen was needed in the 3^rd (0.62 vs. 0.48, P=0.024), 4^th (0.61 vs. 0.37, P<0.001) and 5^th minute (0.48 vs. 0.37, P=0.001) to maintain normal oxygen saturations.
CONCLUSIONS: Use of the semi-rigid catheter was associated with better oxygenation during and shortly after the procedure. Our results may help neonatal units to develop local guidelines.

KEY WORDS: Preterm infants; Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome; Surfactant