Intracranial Effects of Endotracheal Suctioning in Acute Phase of Head Injury

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of endotracheal suctioning on intracranial dynamics in the acute phase of head injury. This study applied prospective nonrandomized research design and will include patients who admitted into neurosurgical ICU with intracranial pressure monitor (ICP monitor) in a medical center in Taipei city during August to November 2004. The researcher will visit to recruit subjects and subjects will be enrolled into investigate group after their family signing their informed consents. There were 6 Patients with 31 subjects were enrolled. During their stay in ICU, they will be suctioning when they need. Their heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, O2 Saturation (SpO2), ICP, EtCO2 and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) will be measured in the time.
The results revealed that: (1)There was significant difference between basic lining and recovery stage in ICP; (2) The BP still increased until the ICP had already recovered; (3) There was significant difference between basic lining and 1st hyperventilation stage in the changes of EtCO2; (4) The HR came back to the basic lining when the ICP had recovered; (5) The CPP was increased, when the ICP had back to the basic lining, it was still higher than the basic lining; (6) The CBF was decreased in suctioning, but the recovery stage was higher than the basic lining; (7) Sedation was useful to stabilize ICP.
This study can be used as a reference for nursing staff noticed in suctioning. Health care educators may integrate the results shown in this thesis into their curriculums. To care for a IICP patient, using this evidence-based practice, nurses can offer safe and scientific suctioning intervention to patients.