A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF ADVERSE EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE USE IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2026v18i6.58958Keywords:
Medical device adverse event, Endotracheal tube, Pediatric patients, Oropharyngeal injury, Laryngeal edemaAbstract
Objective: To evaluate adverse events associated with endotracheal tube use in pediatric patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital.
Methods: This prospective observational study conducted over a three-month period
was conducted in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Pediatric patients requiring endotracheal intubation were enrolled according to predefined selection criteria. Each patient was monitored for up to 72 hours (24, 48, and 72 hours) following intubation. Information regarding medical device–associated adverse events (MDAEs) was systematically recorded. Causality assessment of reported events was performed using the World Health Organization–Uppsala Monitoring Centre (WHO-UMC) causality assessment scale.
Results: A total of 68 patients were screened, with a mean age of 4.56 ± 2.66 years. The overall incidence of endotracheal tube–related MDAEs was 11.7% (n=8). Among the reported adverse events, oropharyngeal injury was the most frequent (25%, n=2). Other observed events included tube blockage, aspiration, laryngeal trauma, laryngeal edema, vocal cord injury, and tube malposition (each 12.5%, n=1), presented concisely without redundancy.
Conclusion: Oropharyngeal injury was the most commonly observed adverse event associated with endotracheal tube use in pediatric patients. Early detection, careful monitoring, and systematic reporting of device-related adverse events are essential to improve patient safety. Further studies are required to explore potential risk factors, including the role of underlying clinical conditions.
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