Question of the Week #20

A 9-month-old infant postoperative day 3 following laryngotracheal reconstruction for congenital subglottic stenosis is currently intubated, sedated and paralyzed in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Which of the following postoperative management strategies is the MOST effective to facilitate timely extubation?

A. Regular use of endotracheal tube (ETT) suctioning and chest physical therapy

B. Continuous infusion of neuromuscular paralytic to promote graft healing