Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) vs. Intubation Surfactant Extubation (InSurE) in Preterm Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

There has been an endeavor in recent years, to administer surfactant by minimally invasive techniques to neonates with surfactant deficiency. The objective of this study was to compare the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation after surfactant delivery, using Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) technique and Intubation SURfactant Extubation (InSurE), in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

METHODS

We conducted a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) at a tertiary care center over a period of 18 months. Preterm neonates with RDS (gestational age 28-36 weeks) were randomized to receive surfactant within 6 h of birth by InSurE or LISA. The primary outcome was need for intubation and mechanical ventilation within 72 h of birth. Infants were followed until discharge for adverse events and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 40 infants were analyzed (20 in each group). There was no difference in the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation within 72 h of birth between the two groups [InSurE, 6 (30%) and LISA, 6 (30%), relative risk 1.0, 95% confidence interval 0.51-1.97]. About 15% of infants in both groups had adverse events during the procedure. There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of major complications or duration of respiratory support, hospital stay and mortality.

CONCLUSION

We found LISA to be feasible and equally effective as InSurE for surfactant administration in the treatment of RDS in preterm infants. Future larger RCTs are required to compare the efficacy and long-term outcomes of LISA with the standard invasive methods of surfactant administration.