Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part C (2024)

Introduction: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm neonates results from alveolar collapse due to surfactant deficiency and is a frequent cause of morbimortality. The administration of exogenous surfactant plays a crucial role in its management. Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) has emerged as an alternative to the more traditional invasive technique (INSURE). This study aimed to compare the efficacy of the LISA and INSURE techniques in improving respiratory function and preventing associated morbimortality.

Study design: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2013 to December 2022, including seventy-nine neonates with a gestational age of ≤32 weeks and birth weight ≤1500 grams, diagnosed with RDS, and treated with surfactant via LISA or INSURE. Group 1 included forty-one neonates treated with the LISA technique, while Group 2 included thirty- eight neonates treated with the INSURE technique.

Results: Demographic characteristics were comparable between groups, except for birth weight (1142.80±234.72 grams in the LISA group vs. 1030.89±187.15 grams in the INSURE group, p=0.022). The LISA technique significantly reduced the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (p=0.038), whereas the INSURE technique was associated with a shorter duration of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (p=0.033). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding associated morbimortality.

Conclusion: The LISA technique demonstrated comparable efficacy to the INSURE technique while offering the advantage of reduced exposure to invasive mechanical ventilation. These findings support the adoption of the LISA technique as the preferred approach in preterm neonates with RDS.