RESUMO
Using two methods for early extubation, 52 babies, suffering from respiratory distress syndrome, were randomly selected to post- extubation headbox or postextubation nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure [NP-CPAP]. All infants were suffering from respiratory distress and weight less than 2000 g, had a gestational age of less than 36 weeks, and had been weaning from mechanical ventilation within 7 days of life. The criteria for extubation included stable condition, fraction of inspired oxygen [FIO2] of <35%, peak inspiratory pressure [PIP] of <15 cm H2O and ventilator rate of 6/minute. The individual successful extubation rate of post- extubation in the NP-CPAP group and the post-extubation headbox group were 85% [22/27] and 48% [12/25], respectively. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups. Results suggested that application of NP-CPAP to a preset protocol for extubation can achieve a better success rate of early extubation in low birth weight [LBW] infants weaning from mechanical ventilation