Objective  To observe the effect of closed sputum suction combined with mechanical ventilation in the treatment of neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia.

  Methods  A total of 80 neonates with mechanical ventilation in neonatal intensive care unit in our hospital were selected as research objects, and were divided into two groups by random number table method, with 40 cases in each group. The patients of two groups were treated with mechanical ventilation, the control group was treated with conventional sputum suction, while the observation group was treated with closed sputum suction. The arterial blood gas index, occurrence of complications, mortality, length of hospital stay, hospitalization expenses and bacterial flora were compared between the two groups.

  Results  Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the levels of arterial partial pressure of oxygen p(O₂) and nitrogen dioxide p(CO₂) between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the levels of p(O₂) and p(CO₂) in the two groups were significantly improved, and the level of p(O₂) in the observation group was significantly higher, while the level of p(CO₂) was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in intracranial hemorrhage, airway injury, air leakage and mortality between the two groups (P>0.05); the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the observation group was significantly lower, and the hospitalization time was significantly shorter, the cost of hospitalization was significantly lower, and the number of bacteria was significantly less than that in the control group (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (P>0.05).

  Conclusion  Closed sputum aspiration combined with mechanical ventilation can effectively reduce the incidence of neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization stay.