Abstract
Objective
To compare the effectiveness of lung lavage with surfactant vs. bolus surfactant treatment in meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS).
Patients and methods
This randomized controlled trial included newborns ventilated with MAS. In lavage group (n = 17) 30 ml/kg of diluted porcine surfactant was instilled into the lung. In bolus group (n = 16) porcine surfactant (100 mg/kg) was administered as bolus. Respiratory outcomes and mortality were compared between groups.
Results
Duration of respiratory support was found to be similar between lavage and bolus groups (3 vs. 3.5 days, p = 0.36). Death or requirement for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was 12% vs. 6%; respectively (RR: 2, 95% CI 0.16–24.48; p = 1.0). Duration of oxygen therapy, high-frequency ventilation or inhaled nitric oxide requirement did not differ among the groups.
Conclusion
Lung lavage did not show any advantage over bolus therapy on duration of respiratory support. The incidence of pneumothorax and surfactant re-administration decreased nonsignificantly in lavage group.
Clinical Trial Registration
We registered the trial to ClinicalTrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov) under identifier NCT02041546.
Registry name
Lung Lavage With Dilute Poractant Alfa for Meconium Aspiration Syndrome.