Use of side-hole endotracheal tube adapter for tracheal aspiration. A controlled study.

An alternate tracheal aspiration procedure using a side-hole endotracheal adapter was used in conjunction with transcutaneous oxygen (TcPO2) monitoring in 13 mechanically ventilated newborn infants. Decline in TcPO2 during suctioning and drop in neonatal heart rate were both substantially reduced using a procedure designed to preserve mean airway pressure. When compared with the routine procedure of disconnecting the endotracheal tube from the ventilator and suctioning via an end-hold adapter, this approach prevented precipitous and dangerous hypoxemia.