Manejo de la disfagia en pacientes con antecedente de infección severa por COVID-19 / Manejo de la disfagia en pacientes con antecedente de infección severa por COVID-19

de la deglución, los cuales representan todas las alteraciones del proceso fisiológico encargado de llevar el alimento desde la boca al esófago y después al estómago, salvaguardando siempre la protección de las vías respiratorias. OBJETIVO. Definir el manejo óptimo, de la disfagia en pacientes con antecedente de infección severa por COVID-19. METODOLOGÍA. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura científica en las bases de datos PubMed y Elsevier que relacionan el manejo de la disfagia y pacientes con antecedente de infección severa por SARS-CoV-2. Se obtuvo un universo de 134 artículos que cumplieron los criterios de búsqueda. Se seleccionaron 24 documentos, para ser considerados en este estudio. RESULTADOS. La incidencia de disfagia posterior a infección severa por SARS-CoV-2 fue del 23,14%, siendo la disfagia leve la más frecuente 48,0%. Los tratamientos clínicos más empleados en el manejo de la disfagia fueron rehabilitación oral y cambio de textura en la dieta en el 77,23% de los casos, mientras que el único tratamiento quirúrgico empleado fue la traqueotomía 37,31%. Un 12,68% de pacientes recuperó su función deglutoria sin un tratamiento específico. La eficacia de los tratamientos clínicos y quirúrgicos en los pacientes sobrevivientes de la infección severa por SARS-CoV-2 fue del 80,68%, con una media en el tiempo de resolución de 58 días. CONCLUSIÓN. La anamnesis es clave para el diagnóstico de disfagia post COVID-19. El tratamiento puede variar, desde un manejo conservador como cambios en la textura de la dieta hasta tratamientos más invasivos como traqueotomía para mejorar la función deglutoria.

INTRODUCTION. The difficulty to swallow or dysphagia is included within the problems of swallowing, which represent all the alterations of the physiological process in charge of carrying the food from the mouth to the esophagus, and then to the stomach, always taking into account the protection of the airways. OBJECTIVE. To define the optimal management, both clinical and surgical, for the adequate treatment of dysphagia produced as a consequence of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODOLOGY. A review of the scientific literature was carried out using both PubMed and Elsevier databases, which relate the management of dysphagia and patients with a history of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS. The incidence of dysphagia following severe SARS-CoV-2 infection was of 23,14%, with mild dysphagia being the most frequent 48,00%. The most frequently used clinical treatments for dysphagia management were oral rehabilitation and change in dietary texture in 77,23% of cases, while tracheotomy was the only surgical treatment used 37,31%. A total of 12,68% of patients recovered their swallowing function without specific treatment. The efficacy of clinical and surgical treatments in survivors of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection was 80,68%, with a mean resolution time of 58 days. CONCLUSION. An adequate medical history is key to the diagnosis of post-COVID-19 dysphagia. Treatment can range from conservative management such as changes in diet texture to more invasive treatments such as tracheotomy to improve swallowing function.

Rehabilitación del nervio recurrente laríngeo postiroidectomía / Recurrent laryngeal nerve rehabilitation after thyroidectomy

El carcinoma papilar tiroideo es el tipo de cáncer más común de esta glándula, y su tratamiento de elección es la tiroidectomía. Entre las complicaciones asociadas resalta la parálisis de las cuerdas vocales, la cual ocurre por una lesión directa del nervio laríngeo recurrente durante la cirugía. Se presenta una paciente de 22 años de edad con este diagnóstico, a la cual se le realizó una tiroidectomía total; en el postoperatorio inmediato la paciente comenzó con estridor laríngeo intenso que requirió una traqueotomía de urgencia. En el examen físico se constató una parálisis bilateral de las cuerdas vocales y se decidió comenzar un tratamiento de rehabilitación del nervio recurrente laríngeo con laserterapia y HIVAMAT-200 como modalidades combinadas. Los resultados alcanzados con la fisioterapia fueron satisfactorios y la paciente se reintegró rápidamente a su ámbito familiar, escolar y social.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of cancer of this gland, and its treatment of choice is thyroidectomy. Vocal cord paralysis stands out among the associated complications, in which a direct injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve occurs during surgery. We present a 22-year-old female patient with this diagnosis, who underwent a total thyroidectomy; in the immediate postoperative period the patient began with intense laryngeal stridor requiring an emergency tracheotomy. Physical examination revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis and it was decided to begin rehabilitation treatment of the recurrent laryngeal nerve with laser therapy and HIVAMAT-200 as combined modalities. The results achieved with physiotherapy were satisfactory and the patient was quickly reintegrated into her family, school and social environment.

Protocol-directed weaning versus conventional weaning from mechanical ventilation for neurocritical patients in an intensive care unit: a nonrandomized quasi-experimental study / Desmame da ventilação mecânica por protocolo versus desmame convencional em pacientes neurocríticos de uma unidade de terapia intensiva: um estudo quase experimental não randomizado

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate whether protocol-directed weaning in neurocritical patients would reduce the rate of extubation failure (as a primary outcome) and the associated complications (as a secondary outcome) compared with conventional weaning. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in a medical-surgical intensive care unit from January 2016 to December 2018. Patients aged 18 years or older with an acute neurological disease who were on mechanical ventilation > 24 hours were included. All patients included in the study were ready to wean, with no or minimal sedation, Glasgow coma score ≥ 9, spontaneous ventilatory stimulus, noradrenaline ≤ 0.2μgr/kg/ minute, fraction of inspired oxygen ≤ 0.5, positive end-expiratory pressure ≤ 5cmH2O, maximal inspiratory pressure < -20cmH2O, and occlusion pressure < 6cmH2O. Results: Ninety-four of 314 patients admitted to the intensive care unit were included (50 in the Intervention Group and 44 in the Control Group). There was no significant difference in spontaneous breathing trial failure (18% in the Intervention Group versus 34% in the Control Group, p = 0.12). More patients in the Intervention Group were extubated than in the Control Group (100% versus 79%, p = 0.01). The rate of extubation failure was not signifiantly diffrent between the groups (18% in the Intervention Group versus 17% in the Control Group; relative risk 1.02; 95%CI 0.64 - 1.61; p = 1.00). The reintubation rate was lower in the Control Group (16% in the Intervention Group versus 11% in the Control Group; relative risk 1.15; 95%CI 0.74 - 1.82; p = 0.75). The need for tracheotomy was lower in the Intervention Group [4 (8%) versus 11 (25%) in the Control Group; relative risk 0.32; 95%CI 0.11 - 0.93; p = 0.04]. At Day 28, the patients in the Intervention Group had more ventilator-free days than those in the Control Group [28 (26 - 28) days versus 26 (19 - 28) days; p = 0.01]. The total duration of mechanical ventilation was shorter in the Intervention Group than in the Control Group [5 (2 - 13) days versus 9 (3 - 22) days; p = 0.01]. There were no diffrences in the length of intensive care unit stay, 28-day free from mechanical ventilation, hospital stay or 90-day mortality. Conclusion: Considering the limitations of our study, the application of a weaning protocol for neurocritical patients led to a high percentage of extubation, a reduced need for tracheotomy and a shortened duration of mechanical ventilation. However, there was no reduction in extubation failure or the 28-day free of from mechanical ventilation compared with the Control Group. ClinicalTrials.gov Registry:NCT03128086

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar se o desmame por protocolo em pacientes neurocríticos reduz a taxa de falha de extubação (desfecho primário) e as complicações associadas (desfecho secundário) em comparação com o desmame convencional. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo quase experimental em uma unidade de terapia intensiva médico-cirúrgica de janeiro de 2016 a dezembro de 2018. Foram incluídos pacientes com 18 anos de idade ou mais, com doença neurológica aguda e em ventilação mecânica > 24 horas. Todos os pacientes incluídos no estudo estavam prontos para o desmame, com nenhuma ou mínima sedação, escala de coma de Glasgow ≥ 9, estímulo ventilatório espontâneo, noradrenalina ≤ 0,2μgr/kg/minuto, fração inspirada de oxigênio ≤ 0,5, pressão expiratória positiva final ≤ 5cmH2O, pressão inspiratória máxima < -20cmH2O e pressão de oclusão < 6cmH2O. Resultados: Foram incluídos 94 dos 314 pacientes admitidos à unidade de terapia intensiva, sendo 50 no Grupo Intervenção e 44 no Grupo Controle. Não houve diferença significativa na falha do ensaio respiratório espontâneo (18% no Grupo Intervenção versus 34% no Grupo Controle, p = 0,12). Foram extubados mais pacientes no Grupo Intervenção do que no Controle (100% versus 79%; p = 0,01). A taxa de falha de extubação não foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos (18% no Grupo Intervenção versus 17% no Grupo Controle, risco relativo de 1,02; IC95% 0,64 - 1,61; p = 1,00). A taxa de reintubação foi menor no Grupo Controle (16% no Grupo Intervenção versus 11% no Grupo Controle; risco relativo de 1,15; IC95% 0,74 -1,82; p = 0,75). A necessidade de traqueotomia foi menor no Grupo Intervenção [4 (8%) versus 11 (25%) no Grupo Controle; risco relativo de 0,32; IC95% 0,11 - 0,93; p = 0,04]. Aos 28 dias, os pacientes do Grupo Intervenção tinham mais dias sem ventilador do que os do Grupo Controle [28 (26 - 28) dias versus 26 (19 - 28) dias; p = 0,01]. A duração total da ventilação mecânica foi menor no Grupo Intervenção do que no Controle [5 (2 - 13) dias versus 9 (3 - 22) dias; p = 0,01]. Não houve diferenças no tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva, 28 dias sem ventilação mecânica, internação hospitalar ou mortalidade em 90 dias. Conclusão: Considerando as limitações de nosso estudo, a aplicação de um protocolo de desmame em pacientes neurocríticos levou à maior proporção de extubação, à menor necessidade de traqueotomia e à menor duração da ventilação mecânica. Entretanto, não houve redução na falha de extubação ou 28 dias sem ventilação mecânica em comparação com o Grupo de Controle. Registro ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT03128086

Outcomes and post-discharge follow-up of neonatal tracheotomy in NICU / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To study the outcomes and post-discharge follow-up of neonatal tracheotomy in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU).Methods:This study included patients who were admitted to NICU in Beijing Children′s Hospital from January, 2016 to August, 2021, and less than 28 days or 44 weeks(corrected age)on admission, and required tracheotomy.The patients were divided into tracheotomy group and the non-tracheotomy group (the parents signed to refuse the tracheotomy) according to whether perform tracheotomy.Demographic data, general hospitalization information, diagnosis, indications for tracheotomy, follow-up outcomes at 3/6/12 months of age after discharge of patients were collected and analyzed.Results:Totally 26 patients were included in this study, 14 cases in tracheotomy group and 12 cases in non-tracheotomy group.The average gestational age was(37.7±3.80)weeks and(38.99±1.83)weeks, and birth weight was(2 823.57±948.89)g and (3 320.83±378.76)g, respectively.There were no significant differences in sex, gestational age, birth weight, age on admission, weight on admission, age at diagnosis, ratio of endotracheal intubation for respiratory support on admission between two groups( P>0.05). The commonest indications of tracheotomy group were bilateral vocal cord paralysis(50.0%) and congenital anomaly/defect of throat/larynx(21.4%), and the commonest indications of non-tracheotomy group were bilateral vocal cord paralysis(50.0%) and vocal cord/subglottic mass(25.0%), and there was no significant difference between two groups( P>0.05). The rate of discharge-against-medical order of tracheotomy and non-tracheotomy group was 7.14% and 66.67%( P=0.003), respectively.The total follow-up rate of tracheotomy and non-tracheotomy group was 88.9% and 38.9%, while the follow-up rates at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months were 100.0% vs. 50.0%, 83.3% vs. 41.7%, and 81.8% vs. 25.0%, respectively, whose differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). In the 14 cases of tracheotomy group, 3 cases died, 4 cases successfully removed the tracheal cannula, 5 cases did not remove the tracheal cannula, and 2 cases were lost. Conclusion:Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is the commonest indication of neonatal tracheotomy.Parents′ compliance in the tracheotomy group is significantly higher than that in non-tracheotomy group.To give caring skill training for parents of neonates with tracheotomy before discharge is beneficial for improving the overall prognosis of children.

Application of supervised early warning nursing in airway management of severe coma patients with tracheotomy and non-mechanical ventilation in neurosurgery department / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of supervised early warning nursing in the prevention of pulmonary infection in severe coma patients with tracheotomy in neurosurgery department, so as to provide reference for improving the clinical practice management level of severe coma patients in neurosurgery department.Methods:A clinical controlled trial was conducted. From March to October, 2022, 58 severe coma patients with tracheotomy and non mechanical ventilation who were admitted to the neurosurgery department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were selected by convenient sampling method. The patients were randomly divided into control group (29 cases) and experimental group (29 cases). The control group received routine nursing. The experimental group implemented supervised early warning nursing based on routine nursing. The pulmonary infection, airway mucosal injury, sputum characteristics of the two groups were observed and compared.Results:After intervention the incidence of pulmonary infection in the experimental group was 34.5% (10/29), which was lower than 62.1% (18/29) in the control group; the incidence of airway mucosal injury in the experimental group was 10.3%(3/29), which was lower than 34.5%(10/29) in the control group. The differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.86, 4.42, both P<0.05). After intervention, there were 4, 23, and 2 cases with sputum characteristics of Ⅰdegree, Ⅱ degree, and Ⅲ degree in the experimental group, and 2, 10, and 17 cases in the control group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant ( Z=-2.85, P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of supervised early warning nursing in airway management of severe coma patients with tracheotomy and non mechanical ventilation can effectively control the occurrence of pulmonary infection, improve sputum characteristics, which possesses important significance on the prognosis of patients.

Development of tracheotrocar cuff filling device and application effect in hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients with tracheotomy cannula / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To design a tracheotomy cannula cuff filling device for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is convenient for clinical operation, improves work efficiency and reduces the incidence of aspiration pneumonia.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. From July 2020 to June 2022, 90 patients with tracheotomy who were treated with hyperbaric oxygen in the First Hospital of Jiaxing were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table method, the patients were divided into the experimental group and the control group, with 45 cases in each group. In the experimental group, the cuff pressure was maintained by the tracheotomy cannula cuff filling device, and in the control group, the traditional water injection method was used to maintain the cuff pressure. The operation time, infection index and incidence of aspiration pneumonia were compared between the two groups.Results:The operation time in the experimental group was (6.33 ± 1.31) s lower than that in the control group (40.96 ± 3.70) s, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-59.11, P<0.05). Body temperature, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin after treatment in the experimental group were (36.91 ± 0.83) ℃, (34.59 ± 16.25) mg/L, (1.57 ± 0.82) μg/L, respectively, lower than those in the control group (37.42 ± 0.72) ℃, (44.18 ± 18.10) mg/L, (2.45 ± 0.92) μg/L, the differences were statistically significant ( t=-3.09, -2.64, -4.73, all P<0.05). The difference of white blood cell count post-treatment between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The incidence of aspiration pneumonia in the experimental group was 11.11%(5/45) lower than 31.11%(14/45) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=5.17, P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of tracheotomy cannula cuff filling device can simplify the operation process, reduce the incidence of infection and aspiration pneumonia, and optimize the clinical work.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury of free tissue flaps, airway management, and prognosis in oral cancer patients / 口腔疾病防治

@#Free tissue flap transplantation is the preferred option for repairing and reconstructing postoperative defects in oral and maxillofacial-head malignant tumors. However, challenges remain for oral and maxillofacial-head and neck oncology surgeons in terms of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, airway management, quality of life and prognosis. I/R injury is an inevitable complication of free-flap transplantation surgery. In addition to shortening the vascular anastomosis time as much as possible during the surgical process, many studies have attempted to further prevent and treat free-flap I/R injury using physical intervention therapy, antioxidant and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, etc. However, there is a lack of large-scale clinical randomized controlled trial evidence to further support these methods. Postoperative tracheal management of patients receiving free tissue flap transplantation is very important. In recent years, delayed extubation has been proposed as an alternative to traditional tracheostomy. This method can facilitate wound care for patients, reduce infections, speed up patient recovery, and reduce the incidence of vascular crises. In the future, such management is expected to improve the practicality and safety of delayed extubation by formulating more appropriate patient selection criteria and intensive care plans. Preoperative selection of suitable free tissue flaps according to the defect for repair and reconstruction is beneficial for improving the quality of life and survival rate of patients. At the same time, for patients who require postoperative radiotherapy, reducing the complications of postoperative radiotherapy and improving the quality of life of patients can be achieved through intraoperative nerve anastomosis, preradiation oral hygiene maintenance, early speech training, and other methods.

The effects of clinical rehabilitation pathway management on intubation time, dysfunction and medical cost for stroke survivors after tracheotomy / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To document any effect of clinical rehabilitation pathway management on intubation time, dysfunction and medical expenditure associated with tracheotomy after a stroke.Methods:A total of 154 stroke survivors undergoing tracheotomy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 77. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation, while the observation group was additionally provided with clinical rehabilitation pathway management during the rehabilitation intervention. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed before the experiment and after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment. Clinical pulmonary infection scores (CPISs), scores on the Chelsea Physical Function Assessment Scale (CPAx) and hospitalization cost were compared between the two groups.Results:The median extubation time of the observation group (2d) was significantly shorter than that of the control group (10d). After 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the average CPIS scores of the observation group were in each case significantly lower than those before treatment and the control group′s averages at the same time points, even though after 4 and 6 weeks of treatment the control group′s average CPIS scores had improved significantly. After 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the average CPAx scores of the observation group were significantly higher than those before treatment and better than the control group′s averages, even though the control group too had improved significantly compared with before the treatment. Hospitalization days, total hospitalization cost, antibiotic cost and laboratory examination cost of the observation group were, on average, significantly lower than those of the control group.Conclusion:Rehabilitation path management can shorten the period of intubation, prevent pulmonary infections, relieve dysfunction, and reduce medical expenses for stroke survivors after a tracheotomy. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Clinical characteristics of tracheotomy patients with difficulty in decannulation in a neurological intensive care unit / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of patients with difficulty in decannulation after a tracheotomy in a neurological intensive care unit.Methods:A total of 122 patients undergoing tracheotomy were divided into a decannulation success group ( n=73) and a difficult decannulation group ( n=49). The Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) and the revised version of the Coma Recovery Scale (CRS-R) were used to assess the consciousness of those in both groups. Their swallowing ability, airway anatomy, secretion retention and aspiration were documented using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), fiberoptic endoscopic examination, Marianjoy′s 5-point secretion severity scale and the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS). Univariate analysis and multiva-riate logistic regression analysis were conducted to isolate risk factors. Results:The univariate analysis showed that age, status of consciousness, swallowing ability, secretion retention, aspiration and opening of the glottis may be indicators of difficult decannulation after a tracheotomy among those with severe neurological diseases. The logistic regression analysis found that too much retention of pharyngeal secretions and insufficient opening of the glottis should also be treated as risk factors for difficult decannulation with such patients.Conclusions:Too much retention of pharyngeal secretions and poor opening of the glottis are independent risk factors for difficult decannulation after a tracheotomy. Endoscopic examination can play an important role in the prediction and treatment of difficult decannulation.

Changes and clinical significance of multiple cytokines in exhaled breath condensate in patients with severe inhalation injury / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To investigate the changes and clinical significance of multiple cytokine levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in patients undergoing tracheotomy with severe inhalation injury.Methods:A prospective study was conducted. A total of 32 patients with severe burn combined with severe inhalation injury admitted to the department of burns and plastic surgery of Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2021 to August 2022 were enrolled. Twenty healthy volunteers from the same period were served as controls. EBC of patients at 12 hours after burn and the samples of healthy controls were collected. The levels of 27 cytokines in EBC, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17), were determined by liquid phase chip technology. Meanwhile, plasma of patients at 12 hours after burn and the plasma of volunteers were collected, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected by liquid chip technology, and the differences between the levels in plasma and those in EBC were analyzed. Plasma and EBC of patients with aspiration injury were collected at 12 hours and 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after burn, and TNF-α levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:Finally, 32 patients were enrolled, and the total burned area was (40±16)% of total body surface area (TBSA). The time of admission was (4.2±2.3) hours after injury. ① Twenty-seven cytokines in EBC: 18 kinds of cytokines including macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), IL-6, IL-5, IL-2, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-9, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), TNF-α, chemotactic factor for eosinophil (Eotaxin), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were significantly increased in patients with severe aspiration injury compared with health controls. Eotaxin was not detected in EBC of healthy controls. Five cytokines, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5/RANTES), IL-13, IL-4 and MIP-1α, were not detected in EBC of severe inhalation injury patients and healthy controls. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-12 p70 in EBC of severe aspiration injury patients were slightly decreased as compared with healthy controls, while IL-7 and IL-17 were slightly increased, but the differences were not statistically significant. ② Six inflammatory cytokines in plasma: the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the severe aspiration injury group were significantly increased as compared with healthy controls [IL-6 (ng/L): 18.51 (10.87, 26.21) vs. 0.22 (0.10, 0.36), IL-8 (ng/L): 10.75 (8.58, 18.79) vs. 1.06 (0.81, 2.14), both P < 0.01]. The plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 were slightly increased in patients with severe aspiration injury as compared with healthy controls, and IL-17 was slightly decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant. In the EBC collected during the same period, five inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10, in patients with severe inhalation injury were significantly increased as compared with healthy controls [TNF-α (ng/L): 16.42 (12.57, 19.21) vs. 7.34 (6.11, 8.69), IL-1β (ng/L): 15.57 (10.53, 20.25) vs. 0.99 (0.67, 1.41), IL-6 (ng/L): 13.36 (9.76, 16.54) vs. 0.70 (0.42, 0.85), IL-8 (ng/L): 1 059.29 (906.91, 1 462.37) vs. 10.36 (8.40, 12.37), IL-10 (ng/L): 2.69 (1.54, 3.33) vs. 1.54 (1.18, 2.06), all P < 0.05]. ③ Dynamic changes of TNF-α in plasma and EBC: the level of TNF-α in EBC of patients with severe aspiration injury was lower than that in plasma. Plasma TNF-α level was increased gradually with the extension of time after injury, and was significantly higher than that of healthy controls on day 3 [ng/L: 30.38 (24.32, 39.19) vs. 22.94 (17.15, 30.74), P < 0.05], and reached the peak on day 14, then fell back. The level of TNF-α in EBC at 12 hours after injury was significantly higher than that in healthy controls [ng/L: 15.34 (11.75, 18.14) vs. 6.99 (6.53, 7.84), P < 0.01], and reached the peak on 3 days after injury, and then gradually decreased. Conclusion:There are changes in the expression of multiple cytokines in EBC of patients with severe inhalation injury, and the changes of many inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α are more sensitive than those in plasma, which can be used to monitor and evaluate the condition of patients with inhalation injury.

Application of self-developed rapid tracheotomy apparatus for acute tracheotomy / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the application effects of self-developed rapid tracheotomy apparatus for acute tracheotomy.Methods:A total of 120 patients who underwent an acute tracheotomy in the Weihai Branch of The 970 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force from January 2019 to December 2020 were included in this study. These patients were randomly divided into a rapid group and a conventional group, with 60 patients in each group. Patients in the rapid group underwent tracheotomy with a self-developed rapid tracheotomy apparatus. Patients in the conventional group underwent the standard steps of traditional tracheostomy. The operation time, incision length, amount of bleeding, and incidence of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:The operation time in the rapid group was significantly shorter than that in the conventional group [(4.5 ± 0.9) minutes vs. (19.3 ± 4.7) minutes, t = 23.86, P < 0.001]. The length of incision in the rapid group was significantly shorter than that in the conventional group [(2.8 ± 0.3) cm vs. (4.2 ± 1.3) cm, t = 8.68, P < 0.001]. The amount of bleeding during the surgery in the rapid group was significantly less than that in the conventional group [(4.4 ± 1.6) mL vs. (11.8 ± 4.1) mL, t = 12.99, P < 0.001]. The incidence of postoperative complications in the rapid group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group ( χ2 = 4.66, P = 0.031). Conclusion:The self-developed rapid tracheotomy apparatus for acute tracheotomy can be used to establish an artificial airway quickly and minimally invasively by simplifying the operational steps. It is remarkably innovative to increase safety with open-view operations and decrease the incidence of complications. It can be repeatedly sterilized and reused, which is worthy of clinical application and popularization.

Clinical application of flexible bronchoscopy and neck ultrasound in percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy in infants / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To investigate the value of flexible bronchoscopy and neck ultrasound in percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT) in infants.Methods:The clinical data of 24 patients, who underwent flexible bronchoscopy and neck ultrasound assisted PDT in the Center for Respiratory Intervention, Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University from December 2018 to May 2021, were retrospectively analyzed.Of the 24 cases, 12 were male and 12 female.The male to female ratio was 1∶1.The age range was 21 days to 2 years (median: 5 months). The median mass was 5.8 kg.During the PDT, neck ultrasound was used to assess the thyroid position and vascular shape of vessels.After determining the puncture approach and marking the tracheostomy site, the PDT was performed under the guidance of flexible bronchoscopy.Results:Before surgery, 19 children (79.2%) had received continuous endotracheal intubation mechanical ventilation support, 2 children (8.3%) were treated by intermittent endotracheal intubation mechanical ventilation support therapy, and 3 children (12.5%) were supported by the non-invasive ventilator.There were 9 cases (37.5%) of congenital upper respiratory tract malformation, 8 cases (33.3%) of bilateral vocal cord paralysis, 3 cases (12.5%) of upper respiratory tract neoplastic diseases, 2 cases (8.3%) of surgical evacuation difficulties, and 2 cases (8.3%) of neuromuscular disease.All 24 patients successfully completed the operation within 30 min, with bleeding volume less than 5 mL and no intraoperative complications.Conclusions:Flexible bronchoscopy and neck ultrasound can assist in the successful PDT in infants, significantly reduce the difficulty and improve the safety of PDT.

Cambios ventilatorios después de una traqueotomía en neumonía por COVID-19 / Ventilatory changes after a tracheostomy in COVID-19 pneumonia

Introducción: existe aún una controversia sobre los efectos en los parámetros ventilatorios en pacientes sometidos a una traqueotomía, y los estudios en casos de pacientes con SARS-CoV-2 son escasos. Objetivo: describir los cambios en los parámetros ventilatorios en pacientes operados de traqueotomía por SARS-CoV-2 en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y longitudinal en el que se incluyeron las variables como edad, sexo, comorbilidades, tiempo de intubación, parámetros ventilatorios, gasométricos y el índice de Kirby. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva con medidas de tendencia central y medidas de dispersión. Resultados: se recibieron 493 casos con COVID-19, 133 (26,35 %) ingresaron, 21 fueron operados en la UCI; el género masculino fue 76 % y edad de 56 años; la obesidad y la hipertensión fueron las comorbilidades más comunes, todos con PCR positivo; los parámetros ventilatorios preoperatorios fueron presión positiva al final de la espiración (PEEP) de 7,61 y fracción inspirada de oxígeno (FiO2) de 41,42, la gasometría fue pH de 7,42, presión parcial de oxígeno (pO2) de 95,04, presión parcial de dióxido de carbono (pCO2) de 41,47, bicarbonato (HCO3) de 29,14, saturación de oxígeno (SatO2) de 94,7 %, el índice de Kirby x = 235; y los posoperatorios (PEEP de 7,19 y FiO2 de 40,6), la gasometría fue de pH de 7.44, pO2 de 43,7, pCO2 de 87,7, HCO3 de 27,4, SatO2 de 95,23 %. Fallecieron tres pacientes, dos pacientes complicados con sangrado y un caso con decanulación accidental. El tiempo promedio de ventilación mecánica de fue de 5,7 días. Conclusiones: la traqueotomía generó cambios muy sutiles en los parámetros ventilatorios y gasométricos; sin embargo, la liberación de la ventilación mecánica fue en promedio menor a una semana, desocupando espacio en la UCI.

Introduction: Controversy continues to exist regarding the effects on ventilatory parameters in patients undergoing tracheostomy, and studies in cases with SARS-CoV-2 are scarce. Objective: To describe changes in ventilatory parameters in patients undergoing tracheostomy for SARS-CoV-2 in the intensive care unit. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, longitudinal study was carried out. Variables such as age, sex, comorbidities, time of IOT, ventilatory parameters, blood gases and the Kirby index were included. Descriptive statistics with measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion were used. Results: n = 493 COVID-19 cases were received, n = 133 (26.35%) were admitted, 21 were operated on in the ICU, male gender was 76%, age 56 years, obesity and hypertension were the most common comorbidities, all With CRP +, the preoperative ventilatory parameters x (PEEP 7.61) and (FiO2 41.42), the blood gas was (pH 7.42), (pO2 95.04), (pCO2 41.47), ( HCO3 29.14), (Saturation O2 94.7%) and the Kirby index x = 235 and postoperative x (PEEP 7.19) and (FiO2 40.6), the blood gas was (pH 7.44), (pO2 43.7), (pCO2 87.7), (HCO3 27.4), (Saturation O2 95.23%). n = 3 died, two patients with bleeding complications and one case with accidental decannulation. The mean time of mechanical ventilation was n = 5.7 days. Conclusions: The tracheostomy generated very subtle changes in the ventilatory and gasometric parameters, however, the release of mechanical ventilation was on average less than one week, emptying space in the ICU.

Efficay of different doses of remimazolam for anesthesia induction during reoperation in asthenic patients with tracheotomy / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficay of different doses of remimazolam for anesthesia induction during reoperation in asthenic patients with tracheotomy.Methods:One hundred and twenty patients of both sexes, aged 19-64 yr, with a modified frailty index score ≥3, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅳ, scheduled for reoperation after tracheotomy, were divided into 4 groups ( n=30 each)using a random number table method: propofol group (group C) and different doses of remimazolam groups (R 1, R 2 and R 3 groups). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous sufentanil 5 μg, propofol 1.5 mg/kg in group C and with remimazolam 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg in R 1, R 2 and R 3 groups, respectively.The tracheotomy cannula was replaced with a reinforced endotracheal intubation (ID=6.0 mm) when bispectral index value ≤ 65.Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded before induction (T 0), immediately before replacement of the tube (T 1) and immediately after replacement of the tube (T 2). The onset time of anesthesia and adverse reactions such as hypotension, bradycardia and bucking during replacement of the tube, and requirement for rescue sedation were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, mean arterial pressure was significantly increased at T 1, 2 in group R 1 and group R 2, the onset time of anesthesia was significantly prolonged, the incidence of hypotension and bradycardia was decreased in R 1, R 2 and R 3 groups, and the requirement for rescue sedation in group R 1 and incidence of bucking in group R 1 and group R 2 were increased ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared with group R 1, heart rate at T 2 was significantly decreased, the onset time of anesthesia was shortened, and the requirement for rescue sedation and incidence of bucking were decreased in C, R 2 and R 3 groups, and the incidence of hypotension was significantly increased in group R 3 ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared with group R 2, the onset time of anesthesia was significantly shortened in group R 3 ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Remimazolam 0.2 mg/kg provides good efficacy when used for anesthesia induction with fewer side effects during reoperation in asthenic patients with tracheotomy.

Airway management and complications of prolonged mechanical ventilation in children / 中国小儿急救医学

Children with prolonged mechanical ventilation have complex conditions, high treatment cost of long-term stay in PICU, high nosocomial complications and mortality.Effective airway management and treatment of complications are essential to reduce ventilator-related pneumonia, prolong life, and reduce economic burden.This review aimed to summarize the updated studies to provide some evidences for children′s prolonged mechanical ventilation airway management and complications management.

The concept and research progress of long-term mechanical ventilation in children / 中国小儿急救医学

In recent years, the number of children with prolonged mechanical ventilation has increased rapidly, and they have been in intensive care units for a long time, resulting in a heavy disease burden and high mortality.Families and society are also paying more and more attention to this special group.The United States and Canada have issued a management consensus on mechanical ventilation for children at home, but the allocation of medical resources in China and other countries is very different, and the domestic family-centered management plan is still difficult at this stage.This review summarized the current status of long-term mechanical ventilation in children in China and other countries, and hoped to learn from foreign experience to help domestic children with long-term mechanical ventilation better.

Effect of citric acid-induced cough on swallowing function and serum substance P levels in stroke patients with early tracheotomy / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of citric acid-induced cough on swallowing function and serum substance P in stroke patients with early tracheotomy.Methods:Forty-nine post-stroke tracheotomy patients admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2018 to July 2019 were selected as study subjects. They were divided into intervention group ( n=24) and control group ( n=25) using the random digit table. The control group was subjected to routine nursing, while the intervention group was given citric acid to induce cough based on routine care. The intervention time was 1 week. The swallowing function and serum substance P levels were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention. Results:After the intervention, 45.8% (11/24) of the patients in the intervention group were assessed as having "strong" swallowing function, compared to 28.0% (7/25) in the control group, with a statistically significant difference in swallowing function between the two groups ( Z= -2.22, P<0.05), and the level of substance P in the intervention group was (283.40 ± 134.82) ng/L, significantly higher than that of the control group (203.59 ± 126.16) ng/L ( t=2.14, P<0.05). Conclusions:Citric acid-induced cough helped stroke patients with early tracheotomy to produce effective swallowing action and up-regulate substance P in serum to promote recovery of swallowing function.

Application of three-fourths prone position drainage in patients with pulmonary infection and consciousness disorders after tracheotomy / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To analyze the application effect of three-fourths prone position drainage method in patients with pulmonary infection and consciousness disorders after tracheotomy.Methods:A total of 84 patients with consciousness disorders who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2018 to October 2020 with pulmonary infection after tracheotomy were selected. They were divided into the control group and the observation group, there were 42 cases in each group according to random number table method. The control group received routine prone position drainage for pulmonary infection after tracheotomy and the observation group was given three-fourths prone position drainage method. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO 2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO 2) before and after intervention, the drainage effect after the intervention, the absorption of pulmonary infection foci, and the time of antibiotic treatment for pulmonary infection during the patients′ hospitalization were compared between the two groups. Results:After the intervention, PaO 2 and PaCO 2 were (91.87 ± 7.21), (35.34 ± 3.28) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) in the observation group, and (85.23 ± 7.90), (43.41 ± 3.39) mmHg in the control group, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( t=-4.02, 11.09, both P<0.05). After the intervention, the apparent rate, effective rate, and ineffective rate were 78.57%(33/42), 19.05% (8/42), 2.38% (1/42) in the observation group,and 33.33% (14/42), 45.24% (19/42), 21.43% (9/42) in the control group. The drainage effect of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-4.28, P<0.05). After the intervention, the complete absorption rate of the pulmonary infection foci and the time taken to treat pulmonary infection with antibiotics during hospitalization were 59.52% (25/42), (10.67 ± 2.70) d in the observation group, and 35.71%(15/42), (13.51 ± 3.46) d in the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.77, t=4.19, both P<0.05). Conclusions:The three-fourths prone position drainage method has significant application effect in patients with pulmonary infection and consciousness disorder after tracheotomy. It can effectively improve the drainage effect, improve oxygenation, promote the absorption of lung infections, and shorten the antibiotic treatment time.

The application of intermittent oro-esophageal tube feeding in cerebral hemorrhage patients undergoing tracheotomy / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To explore the effects of intermittent oral-esophageal tube feeding (IOE) on cerebral hemorrhage (CH) survivors receiving a tracheotomy.Methods:A total of 126 CH patients undergoing tracheotomy were randomly divided into an IOE group ( n=65) and a nasogastric tube feeding (NGT) group ( n=61). The feeding continued for 4 weeks along with medication and thorough rehabilitation interventions (including hemiplegic limb training, swallowing training, and pulmonary function training). Before and after the treatment, the body mass index, hemoglobin, albumin, proalbumin, creatinine height index, extubation rate and intubation time of the tracheotomy, as well as the incidence of complications were evaluated for both groups. Both groups were also assessed using the clinical pulmonary infection scale (CPIS) and National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS). Results:After the 4 weeks the nutrition indexes, average extubation rate (90.76%) and intubation time [(15.96±3.86)d], CPIS score (3.00±1.69), NIHSS score (11.86±4.08) and the overall incidence of complications in the IOE group were all significantly better than the NGT group′s averages.Conclusions:Where feasible, intermittent oro-esophageal tube feeding is superior to nasogastric tube feeding of cerebral hemorrhage patients undergoing tracheotomy. It reduces the risk of pulmonary infection and other complications, resulting in early removal of the tracheotomy cannula and quicker recovery.