Liposomal Inhalation after Tracheostomy-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomy is a common procedure in critical care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of a liposomal inhalation compared to standard physiologic saline (SPS) inhalation on basis of objective and subjective parameters of airway inflammation.
METHODS: We evaluated in this two-armed, double-blinded and randomized control group study the effect of liposomal compared with SPS inhalation in newly tracheotomized patients. The primary endpoint was defined as trend of tracheobronchial IL-6 secretion at day 1 compared to day 10. Further objective and subjective parameter were evaluated.
RESULTS: Fifty patients were randomized in each arm. Tracheal IL-6 levels decreased significantly only after liposomal inhalation. Both inhalative agents seem to have an effect on the respiratory impairment after tracheostomy. Subjective patient impairment was reduced significantly from day 1 to day 10 after tracheostomy with liposomal inhalation.
CONCLUSIONS: Liposomal inhalation demonstrated an advantage over SPS inhalation in newly tracheotomized patients.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes