Comparison study of two methods of endotracheal tube stabilization in preterm infants

Sufficient stabilization of the endotracheal tube is imperative to minimize the complications associated with endotracheal intubation in preterm infants. This study compared two methods of endotracheal tube stabilization by measuring differences between two groups on (a) the rate of accidental extubation, (b) the frequency of restabilization, and (c) the amount of endotracheal tube slippage. Thirty preterm infants were studied (gestational age 27-35 weeks, birth weights 0720-2460 gms) using a posttest only, control group design. A commercially made endotracheal tube holder was applied to 15 experimental group subjects. A traditional method of stabilization was applied to 15 control group subjects. Data were collected over a 6 day study period. Experimental group subjects experienced fewer accidental extubations (p =.008) and less endotracheal tube slippage (p =.044) with the use of the endotracheal tube holder method of stabilization when compared to control group subjects. No significant difference between the groups was found regarding the frequency of restabilizations (p =.790).