Undersedation is a risk factor for the development of subglottic stenosis in intubated children

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the level of sedation in intubated children as a risk factor for the development of subglottic stenosis (SGS). Methods: All patients between 30 days and 5 years of age who required endotracheal intubation in the pediatric intensive care unit between 2013 and 2014 were included in this prospective study. They were monitored daily and COMFORT-B scores were obtained. Flexible fiber-optic laryngoscopy was performed within eight hours of extubation, and repeated seven to ten days later if the first examination showed moderate to severe laryngeal injuries. If these lesions persisted and/or if the child developed symptoms in the follow-up period, microlaryngoscopy under general anesthesia was performed to evaluate for SGS. Results: The study included 36 children. Incidence of SGS was 11.1%. Children with SGS had a higher percentage of COMFORT-B scores between 23 and 30 (undersedated) than those who did not develop SGS (15.8% vs. 3.65%, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Children who developed SGS were less sedated than children who did notdevelop SGS.

Objetivo: Analisar o nível de sedac¸ão em crianc¸as intubadas como um fator de risco para odesenvolvimento de estenose subglótica (ES).Métodos: Todos os pacientes entre 30 dias e cinco anos que necessitaram de intubac¸ão endo-traqueal na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica entre 2013 e 2014 foram incluídos nesteestudo prospectivo. Eles foram monitorados diariamente e foram obtidos os escores da escalaComfort-B. Foi feita laringoscopia com tubo flexível de fibra óptica em oito horas da extubac¸ãoe repetida 7-10 dias depois, caso o primeiro exame tivesse mostrado lesões laríngeas mode-radas a graves. Caso essas lesões tivessem persistido e/ou caso a crianc¸a tivesse desenvolvidosintomas no período de acompanhamento, foi feita microlaringoscopia sob anestesia geral paraavaliar a ES.Resultados: Incluímos 36 crianc¸as. A incidência da ES foi de 11,1%. As crianc¸as com ES apre-sentaram um maior percentual de escores da escala Comfort-B entre 23 e 30 (subsedados) queos que não desenvolveram ES (15,8% em comparac¸ão com 3,65%, p = 0,004).Conclusão: As crianc¸as que desenvolveram ES foram menos sedadas do que as que não desen-volveram.