Selection of Tracheal Cannula for Tracheotomy for Cataphora Patients

Objective To examine the effect of different tracheal cannula used for tracheotomy on the pulmonary infection in patients with cataphora. Methods One hundred and two patients receiving tracheotomy were divided into an observation group (n=52) and a control group (n=50) at random. In the observation group, a disposable low-pressure tracheal cannula was used while the in the control group, a metal tracheal cannula without a cuff was used. All the patients were given rountine nursing care after the tracheotomy. The sputum was collected from the tracheal cannula for bacterial culture on the 3rd day and the 15th day after the tracheotomy, respectively. Results There were significant differences in the positive rate of bacteria on the 15th day after the tracheotomy between the two groups (P0.01). In the observation group, the total number of bacterial strains on the 15th day after the tracheotomy was less than of the control group (P0.01). The total number of bacteria strains on the 15th day was significant larger that on the 3rd day after the tracheotomy in the control group (P0.01), which had little difference in the observation group (P0.05). And in the observation group, the rate of the pulmonary infection of patients was significant lower than the control group after the tracheotomy (P0.05). Conclusion Use of disposable low-pressure tracheal cannula can effectively reduce the pulmonary infection of patients receiving tracheotomy.