[Lung ultrasound as a tool to guide the administration of surfactant in premature neonates]. / La ecografía pulmonar como herramienta para guiar la surfactación en neonatos prematuros.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness of lung ultrasound (LUS) to estimate the endotracheal tube (ETT) depth position during the Intubation-Surfactant-Extubation (INSURE) procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ETT insertion depth was estimated using the weight (insertion depth (cm)=weight (kg)+5.5). After intubation two independent neonatologists using bilateral auscultation or LUS checked the ETT depth. RESULTS: Twelve newborns with respiratory distress syndrome were included. In two cases LUS helped to correctly replace the ETT. All the patients progressed well, with normal x-ray and LUS before discharge. CONCLUSIONS: LUS appears to be a safe and non-invasive technique and is useful in clinical situations were x-ray is not routinely performed, as it is fast and radiation free.

La ecografía pulmonar como herramienta para guiar la surfactación en neonatos prematuros / Lung ultrasound as a tool to guide the administration of surfactant in premature neonates

OBJETIVOS: El objetivo del presente estudio es la valoración mediante la ecografía pulmonar de la profundidad del tubo endotraqueal (TET) durante el procedimiento de Intubation-Surfactant-Extubation (INSURE). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: La profundidad de inserción del TET se calculó mediante el peso del neonato (profundidad de inserción [cm] = peso [kg]+5,5). Después de la intubación, la profundidad del TET fue valorada por 2 neonatólogos independientes mediante la auscultación bilateral y la ecografía pulmonar. RESULTADOS: Doce neonatos con membrana hialina fueron reclutados. En 2 casos la ecografía pulmonar ayudó a posicionar correctamente el TET. Todos los pacientes presentaron una buena evolución con una radiografía y una ecografía pulmonar normal al alta. CONCLUSIONES: La ecografía pulmonar es una técnica segura y no invasiva útil en situaciones donde la radiografía de tórax no se usa habitualmente, siendo además rápida y libre de radiación

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness of lung ultrasound (LUS) to estimate the endotracheal tube (ETT) depth position during the Intubation-Surfactant-Extubation (INSURE) procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ETT insertion depth was estimated using the weight (insertion depth (cm)=weight (kg)+5.5). After intubation two independent neonatologists using bilateral auscultation or LUS checked the ETT depth. RESULTS: Twelve newborns with respiratory distress syndrome were included. In two cases LUS helped to correctly replace the ETT. All the patients progressed well, with normal x-ray and LUS before discharge. CONCLUSIONS: LUS appears to be a safe and non-invasive technique and is useful in clinical situations were x-ray is not routinely performed, as it is fast and radiation free