The Feasibility of Using Mouthpiece Ventilation Post Extubation for Acute Tetraplegia in the Intensive Care Unit.

Fourteen people with acute spinal cord injury utilized mouth piece ventilation in addition to standard care in the intensive care unit. This was introduced when the breathing tube was removed and allowed the participant to utilize on demand ventilation as required. Both clinician and patient participants provided valuable feedback to the research team with this type of ventilation being accepted and feasible to use for this patient group in this environment. A larger controlled study is being planned to determine if mouth piece ventilation may assist with reducing extubation failure.