Randomized control study of nebulized colistin as an adjunctive therapy in ventilator-associated pneumonia in pediatric postoperative cardiac surgical population.

Summary

A prospective, double-blind randomised controlled trial in 98 children under 12 with gram-negative ventilator-associated pneumonia after cardiac surgery, comparing adjunctive nebulised colistin with nebulised saline alongside systemic intravenous antibiotics. Outcomes assessed were clinical and bacteriological response, duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital stay, plus adverse events from nebulisation. The authors report shorter ventilation and stay in the colistin group and suggest aerosolised colistin may be considered an adjunct in susceptible gram-negative VAP. Relevant to PICU teams managing MDR infection in postoperative cardiac patients.

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