Noninvasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation versus nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation for preterm infants as an extubation support: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to explore whether noninvasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (NHFOV) could reduce the incidence of reintubation compared with nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in the postextubation phase of preterm infants. Methods: Randomized controlled trials of NHFOV versus NIPPV were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and MEDLINE. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. Results: Four randomized controlled trials including 1138 preterm infants were included in this study. Compared with NIPPV, NHFOV reduced the incidence of reintubation in the post-extubation phase of preterm infants (p = 0.01, RR = 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56∼0.94), and no heterogeneity was found in the four studies (p = 0.55, I2 = 0%). In the sensitivity analysis, the result showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of reintubation between NHFOV and NIPPV after excluding one study (p = 0. 05, RR = 0.76 95% CI: 0.58∼1.00), and no heterogeneity was found in the other three studies (p = 0.95, I2 = 0%). There was no statistical difference between NHFOV and NIPPV in BPD, air leak, IVH (≥Grade III) and mortality. Conclusion: Among mechanically ventilated preterm infants, compared with NIPPV, NHFOV was potentially beneficial to reduce the incidence of reintubation after extubation and did not increase the risk of complications.