EXtubation With SUctioning or With Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in Intensive Care Unit

Extubation consists of several distinct phases: obtaining the weaning criteria, succeeding weaning test and then removing the intubation tube. While the first two stages are the subject of numerous publications, the last one is rarely studied. To reduce the risk of failure of extubation, the scientific societies of intensive care medicine have published recommendations. They relate to patient weaning and weaning testing, but there are no clear recommendations for the procedure for removing the intubation tube. The ablation of the tube, performed by the chest physiotherapist or nurse, typically involves endotracheal aspiration, from deflation of the cuff to removal of the intubation tube. The objective is theoretically to prevent the secretions accumulated above the cuff, at the pharyngeal level, from falling into the lower airways. Laboratory data show that inhalation of secretions appears to be greater during ablation of the tube with concomitant endotracheal aspiration, which creates a reverse pressure gradient, propelling the secretions into the lower airways. The application of Positive Expiratory Pressure during the ablation of the tube would help to combat this phenomenon. At the same time, this Positive Expiratory Pressure could have a beneficial effect on alveolar recruitment. Recent work proves the non-inferiority of the ablation of the tube with the application of a Positive Expiratory Pressure versus the so-called "reference" method, consisting of endotracheal aspiration during the ablation of the tube. We wish to conduct a comparative, prospective, randomized, multicenter study comparing extubation with concomitant endotracheal aspiration versus ablation of the intubation tube under the application of a PEEP.