Endotracheal aspiration techniques in neonates: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: In neonates under assisted ventilation, the endotracheal aspiration techniques become necessary in order to maintain the baby’s airway free of secretions. Within the hospital area, the practice of these procedures includes a closed and an open technique. Both are crucial for the correct management of these patients and should always be properly performed.

Objective: To analyze, through available scientific evidence, the advantages and disadvantages of the open and closed endotracheal aspiration techniques in the neonatal patient under assisted ventilation.

Methodology: A bibliographical review was conducted on the PubMed, CUIDEN, Cochrane, and LILACS databases. In addition, the reference lists of the selected articles were also examined. Development: After the review and application of the inclusion criteria, a total of six articles were selected for in-depth analysis.

Results and conclusions: The literature on the neonate under assisted ventilation suggests that the closed endotracheal aspiration technique offers more advantages because it maintains the pulmonary volume and the intracranial pressure within stable ranges, and also, it prevents hypoxia and hypoxemia, adequately maintaining the oxygen saturation, the capillary refill, and the cardiac frequency during the procedure.