Las nebulizaciones con solución salina hipertónica al 5% disminuyen las exacerbaciones respiratorias en pacientes pediátricos traqueostomizados

Abstract

Nebulized hypertonic saline solution is useful in pediatric diseases such as bronchiolitis and cystic fibrosis. However its usefulness in pediatric patients with tracheostomy has not been studied. Our aim was to determine the usefulness of nebulized hypertonic solution 5% (SSH5%) in this population. Methods: Prospective cross over, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study It was approved by ethics committee. 34 out of 37 tracheostomized pediatric patients hospitalized from February to May 2013, were selected for this study. They underwent a period of wash out a month later They were randomly divided into a treatment group and a placebo group. Treatment group received hypertonic saline solution 5% (SSH5%) and placebo group saline solution 0.9% (SSF). Both groups received nebulization once daily for 30 days. Then there was a second washout with subsequent crossover Data collected were: patients identification, number of aspirations per day, type of aspirated secretions, mucus plug, fever, oxygen flow supplied and pressure of mechanical ventilator The first nebulization on group SSH5% was defined as a tolerance test. Data analysis was performed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney and t Student tests. The main measured effect was presence and number of respiratory exacerbations, evaluated with Prescott test. Results: 50% of patients were female, their mean age was 3.94 years-old and 82% were with mechanical ventilation. We did not find significant differences between both groups in age, sex or mechanical ventilation. Treatment group SSH5% had less number of respiratory exacerbations than SSF group (p = 0.00595). No adverse effects were observed with the use of SSH5%. Conclusions: Nebulized SSH5% decreased pulmonary exacerbations in patients with tracheostomy with or without mechanical ventilation, being safe its application.