Orotracheal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure With a Compensation Bag: A Preliminary Report About a New Technique for Assisted Ventilation in Premature Infants

Objective: We used a rubber bag adapted for ventilation with orotracheal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), to provide constant alveolar distention pressure and alveolar stability while compensating for pressure or volume changes from physiological events like coughing or crying. Materials and Methods: We administered orotracheal CPAP with compensation bag to nine newborns with mean weight of 1077 g (range, 779-1311 g) and mean gestational age of 28.5 weeks (range, 26 30 weeks). All infants underwent measurement of blood gases and vital signs, and chest radiographs. Results: Orotracheal CPAP with compensation bag was effective in eight patients; high-frequency oscillatory ventilation for pulmonary arterial hypertension was required in one patient. No adverse events were attributable to the procedure. Mean time to extubation was 86 hours. Conclusions: This simple compensation bag may provide alveolar protection and stability for infants who require mechanical ventilation. This technique opens a new line of research in assisted ventilation.