Biofilm accumulation on endotracheal tubes following prolonged intubation.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate that patients who have been intubated for prolonged periods of time will have an increased likelihood of developing bacterial biofilm on their endotracheal tubes.

METHODS

We collected endotracheal tubes from patients at the time of extubation, and analysed representative sections with scanning electron microscopy for morphologic evidence of biofilms.

RESULTS

From September 2007 to September 2008, 32 endotracheal tubes were analysed with electron microscopy. Patients who had been intubated for 6 days or longer had a significantly higher percentage of endotracheal tubes that exhibited bacterial biofilms, compared with patients intubated for less than 6 days (88.9 versus 57.1 per cent, p = 0.0439).

CONCLUSIONS

Longer duration of intubation is associated with a higher incidence of bacterial biofilm. Further research is needed to link the presence of bacterial biofilms to acquired laryngotracheal damage.