Improved Less Invasive Surfactant Administration Success in Preterm Infants after Procedure Standardization

Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) has been introduced at our tertiary Level IV perinatal center since 2016 with an unsatisfactory success rate, which we attributed to an inconsistent, non-standardized approach and ambiguous patient inclusion criteria. This study aimed to improve the LISA success rate to at least 75% within 12 months by implementing a highly standardized LISA approach combined with team training. The Plan Do Study Act method of quality improvement was used for this initiative. Baseline assessment included a review of patient medical records 12 months before the intervention regarding patient characteristics, method success rate, respiratory, and adverse outcomes. A multi-professional team developed a standardized LISA approach and a training program including an educational film, checklists, pocket cards, and team briefings. Twenty-one preterm infants received LISA before and 24 after the intervention. The mean LISA success rate improved from 62% before the intervention to 92% (p = 0.029) after the intervention. Implementing a highly standardized LISA approach and multi-professional team training significantly improved the methods’ success rate.

A study on the comparison of minimally invasive surfactant therapy with insure technique of surfactant therapy in preterm babies with respiratory distress in a tertiary care hospital – A prospective cohort study

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common problem in preterm babies due to surfactant deficiency. Initially, babies were given surfactant therapy by intubation, surfactant administration, and extubation (INSURE) method. Minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) is a novel method of surfactant administration without intubation to spontaneously breathing preterm babies with RDS without the removal of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Aim: This study aims to compare the surfactant therapy in preterm babies with RDS through MIST and INSURE technique. Methods: This prospective, observational cohort study was conducted in the neonatology unit of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital. A total of 212 preterm babies of <37 weeks of gestation with features of RDS, who require surfactant are taken and divided into two groups. Very sick babies with congenital anomalies are excluded from the study. In MIST group (n=102), 8 Fr feeding tube is used to deliver surfactant while the baby is on CPAP. In INSURE group (n=102), surfactant is given by intubation through endotracheal tube without CPAP and extubated. Results: Mean birth weight was 1.26 kg in MIST and 1.22 kg in INSURE. Mean gestational age was 31.33 weeks in MIST and 31.11 weeks in INSURE. It was observed that there is a significant difference in terms of duration of oxygen requirement, neonatal intensive care unit stay, and surfactant spillage during administration in MIST group compared to INSURE group. However, duration of mechanical ventilation, CPAP, number of doses of surfactant, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, pneumothorax, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and mortality did not show significant difference in both the groups. Conclusion: MIST is safe, feasible, and more beneficial than INSURE technique.

Airway injury and pneumomediastinum associated with less invasive surfactant administration in a premature neonate: a case report

Background The use of less invasive surfactant administration (LISA)/minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) has increased due to its potential advantage over traditional surfactant delivery methods through an endotracheal tube. Known complications for this procedure include failure of the first attempt at insertion, desaturation, and bradycardia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema following LISA. Case presentation A preterm newborn born at 27 weeks of gestation presented with respiratory distress syndrome requiring surfactant replacement. LISA using the Hobart method was completed. There was a report of procedural difficulty related to increased resistance to insertion of the 16G angiocath. The newborn was subsequently noted to have subcutaneous emphysema over the anterior aspect of the neck and substantial pneumomediastinum on radiological assessment. Associated complications included hypotension requiring inotropic support. The newborn was successfully managed conservatively, with complete resolution of the air leak. Conclusions Upper airway injury leading to air leak syndrome is a rare complication of the Hobart method for LISA. Awareness of such procedural complications is important as the use of the LISA method increases.

Changes in Respiratory Management and the Impact on Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Objective: Non-invasive respiratory support has reduced the need for mechanical ventilation and surfactant administration in very premature neonates. We sought to determine how the increased use of non-invasive ventilation and less surfactant instillation has impacted the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and compared BPD outcome applying four currently used definitions. Study Design: This is a retrospective, single center cohort study of neonates born at less than 28 weeks gestation between 2010 and 2018. A respiratory practice change (less surfactant and more non-invasive ventilation) occurred in 2014 following participation in the SUPPORT trial. Therefore, patients were divided into 2 epochs to compare postnatal respiratory and clinical course and BPD outcomes across four currently relevant definitions (VON, NICHD, Canadian, NRN). Results: Clinical and demographic variables were similar between epochs. Despite significant differences in maternal and infant characteristics and clinical course, the incidence of BPD was not significantly different between the 2 epochs regardless of the BPD definition utilized. There was a wide range in the incidence of BPD depending on the definition used. Conclusions: Despite decreased use of invasive mechanical ventilation and surfactant administration between the two epochs, the incidence of BPD did not change and there was wide variation depending on the definition used. A better understanding of the risk factors associated with BPD and a consensus definition is urgently needed in order to facilitate the conduct of clinical trials and the development of novel therapeutic interventions to improve outcome.