Nasal HFOV versus nasal IPPV as a post-extubation respiratory support in preterm infants—a randomised controlled trial

Early and successful extubation prevents several morbidities in preterm newborns. Several secondary non-invasive respiratory modalities exist but with their merits and demerits. Given the benefits of nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (nHFOV), we tried to examine whether nHFOV could reduce reintubation rates compared to nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) during the post-extubation phase in preterm infants. Stratified randomisation based on gestational age was done for 86 mechanically ventilated preterm infants between 26 and 36(+6) weeks of gestation within 2 weeks of age to receive either nHFOV or NIPPV post-extubation. The main objective was to compare extubation failure within 72 h following extubation and secondarily feed intolerance, intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) (> grade 3), composite bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)/mortality, composite duration of oxygen supplementation/ventilation support and SpO2/FiO2 ratio. No statistical difference was noted for primary outcome (RR 0.8, 95% CI: 0.23 to 2.78; p = 1.00) and secondary outcomes. However, nHFOV appeared possibly better in respect to feed tolerance rates and pCO2 washout. Conclusion: Extubation failure within 72 h in infants less than 37 weeks of gestation did not differ between the two groups. However, nHFOV seems promising in reducing enteral feeding issues and pCO2 elimination. Larger multicentre studies are required for exploring benefits of nHFOV. Trial registration: www.ctri.nic.in id CTRI/2019/07/020055, registration date July 5, 2019 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00431-021-04084-1.