Comparative analysis of different sputum suction methods on sputum suction effect and respiratory function in patients with pulmonary infection in ICU

ObjectiveTo compare the different sputum suction methods on sputum suction effect and respiratory function in patients with pulmonary infection after mechanical ventilation in ICU.

MethodsTwo hundred and sixty patients with pulmonary infection after mechanical ventilation in ICU were divided into the control group (n=115) and experiment group (n=145) according to the sputum suction method.The control group was treated with open sputum suction, and the experiment group was treated with closed sputum suction.The sputum suction effect, and blood gas index and respiratory function before and after 1 min of sputum suction were compared between two groups.

ResultsThe volume of expectoration in experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01), the disappearance rate of pulmonary rale in experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01), the incidence rates of the fresh blood in sputum or suction tube wall, and sputum ejection during sputum suction in experiment group were significantly lower than those in control group (P < 0.01).Compared with before 1 min of sputum suction, the levels of SaO₂, PaO₂, and PaCO₂ in experiment group were increased and decreased after 1 min of sputum suction, respectively (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).Compared with before 1 min of sputum suction, the levels of SaO₂, PaO₂, and PaCO₂ in control group were decreased and increased after 1 min of sputum suction, respectively (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).Compared with before 1 min of sputum suction, the levels of BF, Pplat and Ppeak were significantly increased, and level of Vt significantly decreased in control group after 1 min of sputum suction (P < 0.01).The significant changes of the above indexes were not found in experiment group (P>0.05).

ConclusionsClosed sputum suction can improve the effect of sputum suction, reduce or avoid respiratory tract mucosal damage, improve the blood gas index after sputum suction, and has no affect on the respiratory function of patients.The sputum suction effect of closed sputum suction is better than that of open sputum suction.