What you need to know about:

Mucus Suction For Children

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Recovery Period:
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Overview of

Mucus Suction For Children

in Thailand

Mucus suctioning is a procedure to remove the mucus and to aid breathing in children. The suction is performed with special types of equipment designed for clinical use. There are different equipment for different areas like the nose, mouth, and trachea.

Mucus is secreted by a lining called mucosa which lines the tube-like structures and cavities of the body, for example, the trachea, esophagus, oral cavity, stomach, intestine, etc. Sometimes the secretion of mucus increases and thickens due to some pathology (disease), and the person may find it difficult to expel the mucus with a normal cough reflex. This may be accompanied by lung dysfunction which further adds to the secretion of mucus. 

1. Suctioning mucus through the nose and mouth

1.1 The nasopharynx is the tubular area where the nose ends and goes downwards towards the back of the oral cavity. Suction is done through this passage when oral suction is not possible because kids may bite the inserted tube. This is also indicated if the collection of secretions is deep in the trachea, and it is difficult to approach it through the mouth.

1.2 When the suction tube is inserted through the mouth to the pharynx and sometimes into the trachea, it is called oropharyngeal suction.

2. Suctioning mucus through an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube

When the patient is unconscious and cannot put effort into breathing, then to support the patient a tube called an endotracheal tube is inserted either through the oral cavity or nasal cavity which then passes through the epiglottis and the vocal cords into the trachea. Suctioning is done through this tube to clear the secretions from the lower respiratory tract. When there is a requirement of keeping the patient on airway support even after three to four weeks, then tracheostomy is indicated and suction is done through the tracheostomy tube.

Goals of

Mucus Suction For Children

General indications of endotracheal suction:

  • To suck out the collection of mucus in the upper respiratory tract.
  • To generate a cough reflex so that the mucus can be expelled.
  • To remove any foreign object or post-trauma collection of blood to prevent aspiration.
  • To collect a sample from the lower respiratory tract.
  • To rule out any pathology associated with lungs because of a change in lung sounds.

Price of

Mucus Suction For Children

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Pros and cons of

Mucus Suction For Children

Pros

  • It clears the airway to enhance breathing and prevents breathlessness when your child is not able to clear the mucus or any other collection by normal cough reflex.
  • This prevents the acute shortage of oxygen at the tissue level.
  • Any mucus collection that blocks the airway can be dangerous, so it is required to be removed.
  • Suction can also be done by keeping the patient asleep.

Cons

  • It makes the inner nasal and throat surface dry.
  • Dryness can cause bleeding.
  • It may induce vomiting if done just after the meal.
  • Your child may feel irritation in the nose and the throat.

How it works:

Mucus Suction For Children

With the help of the nursing staff, the patient is placed in a supine (lying on the back) position with the head turned towards the side.

The suction apparatus is arranged which has a suction head and a suction tube that connects the head with the suction machine. Pressure in the machine is adjustable and set according to medical guidelines. Before starting the procedure, the assigned nurse checks the pressure.

The suction of nasal secretions is done by inserting a suction tip in the nose, which is advanced into the inner wall without causing any trauma.

While suctioning, it is required to change the position of the suction tip by moving it in or out. This is done to suck out the maximum quantity of secretions. Nurses are trained to do the procedure without causing any harm to the surrounding tissue. After performing nasal suction, the suction tip is changed for oral suction.

If the secretion seems to be viscous and it is difficult to suck it out, then a 0.9% saline solution can be used to dilute it. Saline can be placed in the same nostril or the adjacent one while doing suction.

A suctioning session longer than 10 seconds may cause larynx constriction which will lead to oxygen deficiency. Also, if a tracheostomy tube is present then suction should first be performed through that.

After the suction is complete, a stethoscope is used to verify whether the chest is clear or not and the nurse will do this by asking the patient to take a deep breath. If the nurse finds any abnormality, then the suction can be repeated.

Preparation before

Mucus Suction For Children

Pre - treatment

The patient will be examined before the procedure to ensure if there are any changes of color in the nails and the skin (cyanosis), or any other respiration-related changes. The nurse will make sure that there is nothing in the mouth in case the patient has vomited.

It is advised not to eat at least two hours before the procedure to prevent aspiration.

Recovery after

Mucus Suction For Children

Post - treatment

The patient will be seated in a comfortable position after the procedure and is observed for some time. The doctor will re-examine the patient to check for improvements in oxygen saturation levels and chest sounds. If the doctor suspects anything out of the usual, then treatment will be suggested accordingly. Usually, patients show an improvement after this procedure.

Risks & side effects

  • lungs may collapse due to a lack of oxygen supply to the body organs.
  • it may cause trauma to the tract lining if not done properly.
  • infection may occur if proper sterilization is not followed, or pre-op oral hygiene is not monitored.
  • site of insertion may get inflamed and turn red.
  • pressure may be felt in the head due to blockage in the airway.
  • there are chances of vomiting due to gag reflex.

FAQs:

Mucus Suction For Children

Why does my child need to be suctioned?

When your child cannot clear the respiratory tract with normal body reflexes in response to hypersecretion of mucus, then suction is done. Secretion of mucus is the immune response of our body, it may be against the disease-causing microorganism example common cold, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Pneumonia, Influenza, etc, or any allergen as in allergic bronchitis.

When our cough reflexes are not strong enough?

  • When a baby is born premature, the cough reflexes are generally not fully developed.
  • Any trauma that has affected the baby’s neurological development and results in the lack of ability to cough, inability to generate reflexes, or any other neuromuscular dysfunction.
  • Post surgery, patients may not be able to cough, so suction is indicated.

What if this procedure is not performed?

Our body is made up of cells and they need a continuous oxygen supply for their survival. If suction is not performed, then the airway will remain blocked the child’s body will not get sufficient oxygen. It may be fatal if the brain doesn’t get oxygen.

When should I suction my child’s nose or mouth?

  • Whenever you notice the child is having difficulty in breathing or feeling heaviness in the chest.
  • If the airway is not clear, then it should be cleared with a suction apparatus before meals, so that your child can eat comfortably. If the procedure is done just after meals, your child may end up vomiting the food.
  • Limit the suctioning if your child faces difficulty in breathing after vomiting or spitting, and if you notice bleeding which happens because of dryness and excessive suction. If unsure, please consult a doctor.

What are the alternatives to mucus suction for children?

You can consult your doctor for alternatives. Your doctor may suggest you irrigation of nose with saline water which is done with the help of a bulb syringe. This dilutes the mucus and makes it of a flowable consistency, which then becomes easier to expel. The technique will be explained by the nurse or doctor.

This can be used at home but only with proper caution.

When should nasopharyngeal (NP) suctioning be performed?

A nurse, doctor, or respiratory therapist may decide to use NP suctioning when,

  • other methods like bulb syringe or plastic tipped catheter fail to remove the mucus efficiently.
  • chest sounds examined by the doctor or nurse are abnormal.
  • oxygen demand of your child’s body increases.
  • your child is putting more than usual efforts into breathing.
  • oxygen saturation is dropping.
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