[Incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients using open-suction systems and closed-suction systems: a prospective study -- preliminary data].

This a randomized clinical trial in which 20 patients were prospectively evaluated for the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), of whom 12 received endotracheal suctioning by an open-suction method and 8 by a closed-suction method. Differences in the incidence of VAP was not significantly different (p = 0.4) between closed and open suctioning. Differences in Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, duration of entubation, and the use of steroids were all not significant. All patients in the study used H2 antagonist and a nasogastric tube. Proceeding with the study will involve a sample increase with a possible change in the results.