What does this research mean for the field?

A structured non-invasive bedside protocol demonstrates high sensitivity (96.0%) and strong agreement with endoscopic evaluation for assessing tracheostomy decannulation readiness in adults with acquired brain injury. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.METHODOLOGICAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To prospectively validate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical safety of a noninvasive bedside protocol compared to nasopharyngolaryngoscopy for tracheostomy decannulation in adults with acquired brain injury.

August 28, 2026Brain InjuryOpen Access

Prospective validation of a non-invasive bedside protocol for tracheostomy decannulation in acquired brain injury with otolaryngologic concordance

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Authors

SMSooraj Mavilakandy JGJacob George PCPraveen Kumar Chinniah

Discussion

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Overview

Prospective cohort study demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy of a bedside tracheostomy decannulation protocol in brain injury, indicating reliable noninvasive screening before endoscopy.

Key Points

To prospectively validate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical safety of a noninvasive bedside protocol compared to nasopharyngolaryngoscopy for tracheostomy decannulation in adults with acquired brain injury.
Prospective observational cohort study conducted between July 2021 and March 2025 at a tertiary neurorehabilitation center enrolling 36 adults with chronic acquired brain injury and tracheostomies.
The bedside protocol evaluated tracheostomy capping tolerance, suctioning requirements (≤2 episodes per 24 hours), modified Evans blue dye aspiration screening, and laryngeal ultrasonography.
All participants subsequently underwent blinded reference-standard nasopharyngolaryngoscopic (NPL) examination, with four weeks of follow-up post-assessment.
The bedside protocol achieved a sensitivity of 96.0% (95% CI 79.6–99.9), a specificity of 81.8% (95% CI 48.2–97.7), and an overall accuracy of 91.7%, with strong agreement with endoscopic evaluation (κ = 0.80).
Among 26 protocol-positive patients, 24 were confirmed suitable for decannulation on NPL; among 10 protocol-negative patients, 9 were confirmed unsuitable.
No occurrences of aspiration pneumonia, respiratory deterioration, or recannulation were documented during the four-week follow-up period.

Cite This Study

Mavilakandy et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a914599d15324a1df3a8e6a https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2026.2720633

View Full Paper

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August 28, 2026Brain InjuryOpen Access

Prospective validation of a non-invasive bedside protocol for tracheostomy decannulation in acquired brain injury with otolaryngologic concordance

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SMSooraj Mavilakandy JGJacob George PCPraveen Kumar Chinniah

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Prospective cohort study demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy of a bedside tracheostomy decannulation protocol in brain injury, indicating reliable noninvasive screening before endoscopy.

Key Points

To prospectively validate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical safety of a noninvasive bedside protocol compared to nasopharyngolaryngoscopy for tracheostomy decannulation in adults with acquired brain injury.
Prospective observational cohort study conducted between July 2021 and March 2025 at a tertiary neurorehabilitation center enrolling 36 adults with chronic acquired brain injury and tracheostomies.
The bedside protocol evaluated tracheostomy capping tolerance, suctioning requirements (≤2 episodes per 24 hours), modified Evans blue dye aspiration screening, and laryngeal ultrasonography.
All participants subsequently underwent blinded reference-standard nasopharyngolaryngoscopic (NPL) examination, with four weeks of follow-up post-assessment.
The bedside protocol achieved a sensitivity of 96.0% (95% CI 79.6–99.9), a specificity of 81.8% (95% CI 48.2–97.7), and an overall accuracy of 91.7%, with strong agreement with endoscopic evaluation (κ = 0.80).
Among 26 protocol-positive patients, 24 were confirmed suitable for decannulation on NPL; among 10 protocol-negative patients, 9 were confirmed unsuitable.
No occurrences of aspiration pneumonia, respiratory deterioration, or recannulation were documented during the four-week follow-up period.

Cite This Study

Mavilakandy et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a914599d15324a1df3a8e6a https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2026.2720633

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark