Simple but Significant Modifications of High-Flow Nasal Cannula

Cureus. 2022 Feb 26;14(2):e22641. doi: 10.7759/cureus.22641. eCollection 2022 Feb.

Abstract

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is one of the most commonly used devices for oxygen therapy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in different hospital settings. Multiple alternative options include non-invasive and invasive ventilation. But non-invasive ventilation is very uncomfortable for patients, and weaning from invasive ventilation in a patient with lung pathology is challenging. Hence, HFNC has come up as a safe alternative that averts invasive ventilation. However, its widespread application is difficult in patients with nasal deformities. We discuss two patients, one with caudal dislocation of the nasal septum with a crooked nose and the other patient with septal hypertrophy. In both cases, invasive ventilation was deferred, and target oxygen saturation was achieved after a simple dispositive modification.

Keywords: covid-19; hfnc; high-flow nasal canula; innovation; modification.

Publication types

  • Case Reports