Postoperative Respiratory Complication

Postoperative respiratory failure (PORF) remains a critical driver of morbidity, mortality, and incremental care costs in surgical populations. Traditional escalation often involves invasive mechanical ventilation, which is associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stays, and increased resource burden.

This prospective, randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effect of preoperative nebulized lidocaine and nebulized 3% hypertonic sodium chloride (NaCl) on the incidence of postoperative respiratory complications in pediatric patients undergoing adenoidectomy and/or adenotonsillectomy. Lidocaine, a versatile sodium channel blocker, has shown antitussive, bronchodilatory, and anti-inflammatory benefits when nebulized, and has been safely used in children for respiratory procedures. Hypertonic 3% NaCl is known to improve mucociliary clearance, reduce airway edema, and enhance secretion mobilization, particularly in pediatric respiratory conditions. Both agents have demonstrated individual safety and efficacy in respiratory management, yet their preoperative nebulized use for preventing postoperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs) in pediatric airway surgery has not been previously studied. This trial seeks to determine whether preoperative nebulization with these agents can reduce postoperative respiratory complications, improve recovery, and enhance perioperative safety in this high-risk population.

The objective of this clinical trial is to assess whether early extubation of patients with hypoxemia during the spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) shortens the duration of ventilatory support. The trial will also evaluate the safety of this approach. The key research questions include: Does early extubation of hypoxemic patients reduce the total duration of ventilatory support (both invasive and non-invasive) by 36 hours? Does early extubation of hypoxemic patients increase the number of ventilator-free days by day 28? Can the safety of early extubation in hypoxemic patients be ensured by confirming no significant differences in rates of reintubation, tracheostomy, or mortality? The trial will compare ventilatory outcomes between two groups: hypoxemic patients who undergo early extubation (hypoxemic extubation group) and those who remain on invasive ventilation until hypoxemia resolves (conventional extubation group).