A meta-analysis of the effects of various interventions in preventing endotracheal suction-induced hypoxemia

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of interventions that were applied to prevent endotracheal suction-induced hypoxia by meta-analysis. To obtain a sample for this meta-analysis, a computerized search was performed through MEDLINE in addition to tracking down additional references cited in bibliographies of past reports. Finally thirty research reports were examined. In terms of the application time of oxygenation, insufflation and preoxygenation were the most prevalently used in the studies. Regarding the methods of oxygenation, the most prevalent technique for oxygenation was hyperoxygenation in combination with hyperinflation. Hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation were most frequently induced by FiO(2) of 1 and a 150% tidal volume of three to six breaths, respectively. Suctioning was commonly sustained for <15 seconds using pressures of -80 to -120 mmHg and with size 14 French catheters. Insufflation was less effective than the other methods examined in the present study. From this study, it can be concluded that the interventions that were applied to prevent endotracheal suction-induced hypoxia, regardless of their application times or methods, reduced suction-induced hypoxia significantly.