CONTINUOUS ENDOTRACHEAL SUCTION DURING ONE-LUNG VENTILATION CAN REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF POSTOPERATIVE PULMONARY COMPLICATIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background: Postoperative pulmonary complications are common after pulmonary lobectomy. The aim of the present study was to observe the impact of continuous endotracheal suction during one-lung ventilation on the incidence of postoperative hypoxemia and pneumonia in adult patients undergoing video-assisted pulmonary lobectomy. Methods: This retrospective study included 98 patients, who were required to undergo double-lumen tube insertion for one-lung ventilation during selective video-assisted right pulmonary lobectomy. These patients were divided into two groups: continuous suction group (CS group, n=41), continuous endotracheal suction was performed during one-lung ventilation; discontinuous suction group (DS group, n=57), discontinuous endotracheal suction was performed during one-lung ventilation. Demographic data, operation characteristics, variation trend of the oxygenation index (arterial partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2)), incidence of hypoxemia at 24 hours after the operation and pneumonia after the operation, length of recovery room (RR) stay, and length of hospital stay (LOH) were recorded and analyzed. Results: The incidence of postoperative hypoxemia and pneumonia were 14.3% and 5.1%, respectively, in the present study. The oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) was significant higher in the CS group than in the DS group at 24 hours after the operation (416.32 +/- 58.37 vs. 376.46 +/- 72.59; P=0.005). The incidence of hypoxemia at 24 hours after operation was significantly lower in the CS group than in the DS group (4.9% vs. 21.1%; P=0.021). There were no significant differences in demographic data, operation characteristics, postoperative pneumonia, length of RR stay, and LOH between these two groups. Conclusion: Continuous endotracheal suction during one lung ventilation can increase PaO2/FiO2 and reduce the incidence of hypoxemia at 24 hours after video-assisted pulmonary lobectomy. However, it cannot reduce the incidence of postoperative pneumonia and length of hospital stay.