Relationship Between Tracheal Suctioning Catheter Motion and Secretion Amount Based on Viscosity.

BACKGROUND

To provide safe tracheal suctioning, the American Association of Respiratory Care guideline discusses the length of suctioning catheter, but the most effective tracheal suctioning catheter technique is still unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare the amount of simulated secretion produced by five different handlings of a catheter at two different viscosities and in two different models to discover the most effective suctioning maneuver in the various mucus conditions.

DESIGN

In vitro experimental design.

METHODS

The amount of secretion aspirated by our researcher's manipulation of a suctioning catheter was measured. The tip of the catheter was recorded using a high-speed video camera to visualize the secretion motion.

RESULTS

The most effective suctioning technique differed depending on the viscosity of the secretion. There were no significant differences between five suctioning methods applied to high-viscosity phlegm in a tracheal membrane model, but the flexion technique was the most efficient for low-viscosity secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results imply that the flexion technique was reasonably safe and the most effective of these five methods for low-viscosity secretion.