Abstract

AIMS To describe the short term effect of high frequency oscillatory ventilation on infants with severe abdominal distension who could not be conventionally ventilated.

METHODS Eight infants (25 to 38 gestational weeks, birthweight 600-3200 g, postnatal age 1 to 190 days) with a variety of intra-abdominal pathologies, resulting in severe abdominal distension and failure of conventional ventilation, were studied.

RESULTS The oxygenation status of all infants significantly improved within an hour of changing from conventional to high frequency oscillatory ventilation. Infants who were hypercapneic on conventional ventilation also showed a reduction in PaCO₂. As a group, the mean (SD) PaO₂/FIO₂ improved from 4.99 (0.98) kpa to 11.55 (3.8) kpa (P = 0.002), and the PaCO₂ from 6.48 (2.12) kpa to 4.89 (1.22) kpa (P= 0.028). These improvements were sustained throughout the next 48 hours.

CONCLUSION High frequency oscillatory ventilation seems to be an effective rescue measure for infants with respiratory failure secondary to increased intra-abdominal pressure.