Objective To explore the oxygen therapy effects of high-flow T-tube oxygen therapy on neurointensive care patients who have undergone tracheostomy and are undergoing mechanical ventilation while meeting the criteria for weaning from mechanical ventilation, especially in terms of controlling airway temperature and humidity, promoting mucus dilution, and reducing postoperative complications. MethodsCollected data from 50 neurointensive care patients who underwent tracheostomy and were on mechanical ventilation, meeting the criteria for weaning from mechanical ventilation, treated at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from September 2019 to September 2021. The three groups of patients had different weaning methods: a high-flow T-tube for weaning, a heat and moisture exchanger (artificial nose) for weaning, and a high-flow tracheal joint for weaning. The vital signs, dyspnea and blood gas analysis before and three days after weaning were collected. The primary outcomes were mechanical sputum excretion, postural drainage, phlegm-resolving drugs use, airway-related events (artificial airway blockage, artificial nose blockage, lung infection), stay in ICU (days), and death in ICU. Results Among the 50 patients, 28 were males and 22 were females. There were no significant differences in age, weight, height, gender, finger pulse oxygen saturation, heart rate, APACHEII score, sequential organ failure assessment, or Glasgow coma scale among the three groups (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in the number of 72-hour mechanical sputum excretion or the use of phlegm-resolving drugs in the three groups (P=0.113, P=1.00). Conclusion The use of high-flow T-tube oxygen therapy in neurointensive care patients who have undergone tracheostomy, are on mechanical ventilation, and meet the criteria for weaning from mechanical ventilation can effectively control airway temperature and humidity, promote mucus dilution for better drainage, thereby reducing post-tracheostomy complications.
For patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019, how to take lavage fluid specimens correctly is the current clinical focus during the epidemic. At the same time, since alveolar lavage is an invasive operation of the airway, it is necessary to follow standard procedures for protection and operation to prevent occupational exposure risks of medical staff. The Department of Intensive Care Unit of West China Hospital of Sichuan University formulated the operation procedure of alveolar lavage for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 based on the original operation procedure of alveolar lavage. This article introduces the indications and contraindications of the operation procedure, preparation before operation, operation procedure and precautions, post-operation processing and operation protection for clinical reference and implementation.