Table 3.
Outcomes
| RFEM (n = 120) | SSD (n = 121) | Risk difference (95%CI) | p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary endpoint | ||||
| VAP, n (%) | 11 (9.17) | 13 (10.74) | − 1.59 (− 9.20, 6.03) | 0.683 |
| Secondary endpoints | ||||
| Duration of mechanical ventilation, days | 8 (5–11) | 7 (4–11) | 1 (0, 2) | 0.141 |
| Time from intubation to VAP, days | 7.25 ± 7.94 | 7.92 ± 3.77 | − 0.67 (− 6.03, 4.69) | 0.793 |
| ICU length of stay, days | 16 (10–25) | 16 (9–26) | 1 (− 2, 3) | 0.643 |
| ICU mortality, n (%) | 36 (30.00) | 46 (38.02) | − 8.08 (− 20.7, 3.91) | 0.188 |
| ICU expenses, thousand dollars | 12.0 (7.88–19.5) | 13.3 (7.69–25.2) | 0.87 (− 3.28, 15.1) | 0.465 |
| Volume of subglottic secretions, ml/day | 9.67 (6.78–13.18) | 6.00 (2.10–10.76) | 3.15 (1.42, 4.68) | < 0.001 |
| Tracheotomy, n (%) | 24 (20.00) | 23 (19.01) | 1 (− 9.08, 11.08) | 0.846 |
| Reintubation, n (%) | 12 (10.00) | 11 (9.09) | 0.91 (− 6.56, 8.4) | 0.810 |
| Antibiotic days during ICU stay (%) | 14 (10–20) | 15 (8–20) | 1 (− 2, 2) | 0.601 |
| Safety assessment, n (%) | ||||
| Barotrauma | 6 (5.00) | 10 (8.26) | − 3.29 (− 9.61, 3.03) | 0.309 |
| Pneumothorax | 5 (83.33) | 6 (60.00) | 23.33 (− 19.22, 65.89) | 0.330 |
| Mediastinal emphysema | 1 (16.67) | 2 (20.00) | − 3.33 (− 42.11, 35.44) | 0.869 |
| Subcutaneous emphysema | 1 (16.67) | 4 (40.00) | − 23.33 (− 65.89, 19.22) | 0.330 |
| Post-extubation laryngeal edema | 7 (5.83) | 4 (3.31) | 2.55 (− 2.76, 7.86) | 0.347 |
Qualitative indicators are expressed by the number of cases (percentage), and 95% CI is calculated by normal approximation method. If the quantitative index obeys normal distribution, it is expressed by mean ± standard deviation, and 95% CI is calculated by t-test method; if it does not obey normal distribution, it is expressed by median (upper quartile—lower quartile), and 95% CI is calculated by Hodges–Lehmann estimation method