Abstract Background Noninvasive mechanical ventilation aims to provide respiratory support without the pulmonary and non-pulmonary complications associated with invasivemechanical ventilation including infection, subglottic stenosis, air leak syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). There is a notable increase in use of various types of noninvasive respiratory support post extubation to ensure the sucesss of extubation and avoid re-intubation. Noninvasive high frequency ventilation (NHFOV) is a new mode of noninvasive ventilation which is achieved through the use of noninvasive continuous flow with superimposed oscillations combining the benefits of high frequency oscillatory ventilaltion and noninvasive ventilation. Aim of Work The primary aim of the study is to compare re-ventilation rate between noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and NHFOV when used as post extubation respiratory support. Secondary aim was to compare workof breathing, chest X-ray grade, incidence of pneumothorax and duration to reach full enteral intake between the 2 groups. Methodology Sixty preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who received invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours were included in this randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomly allocated post-extubation toNIPPV or NHFOV. The 2 groups were matched regarding weight, gestational age and comorbidities during invasive ventilation. Patients were compared regarding re-ventilation rate, work of breathing assessed by Downes score, chest X-ray grade, incidence of pneumothorax and duration to reach full enteral intake. Results Lower re-ventilation rate was found in NHFOV group (23.3%) compared to NIPPV group (30.0%). Median duration to reach full intake was shorter in NHFOV group (8 days) compared to NIPPV group (9.5 days) however, theseresults didn’t reach statistically significant difference (P value = 0.559 value and0.299 respectively). No difference was found between studied groups regarding work of breathing assessed by Downes’ score (P value = 0.634) nor regarding chest X-ray grades (p value= 0.902). Incidence of pneumothorax was equal in NHFOV group compared to NIPPV group with p value of 0.313. Conclusion NHFOV is a promising safe noninvasive mode for neonates post-extubation.
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