A pilot study of evaluation of semi-rigid and flexible catheters for less invasive surfactant administration in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome-a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In respiratory distress syndrome, many neonatology centers worldwide perform minimal invasive surfactant application in premature infants, using small-diameter catheters for endotracheal intubation and surfactant administration.

Methods: In this single-center, open-label, randomized-controlled trial, preterm infants requiring surfactant administration after birth, using a standardized minimal invasive protocol, were randomized to two different modes of endotracheal catheterization: Flexible charrière-4 feeding tube inserted using Magill forceps (group 1) and semi-rigid catheter (group 2). Primary outcome was duration of laryngoscopy.

Do all patients in the epilepsy monitoring unit experience the same level of comfort? A quantitative exploratory secondary analysis.

Aims: To find out which variables may be associated with comfort of patients in an epilepsy monitoring unit.

Design: Exploratory, quantitative study design.

Methods: Data were collected from October 2018 to November 2019 in Austria and Southern Germany.