Risk Factors for Delayed Extubation after Ventricular Septal Defect Closure: a Prospective Observational Study

Objective: The objective of our study was to determine the feasibility of early extubation and to identify the risk factors for delayed extubation in pediatric patients operated for ventricular septal defect closure. Methods: A prospective, observational study was carried out at our Institute. This study involved consecutive 135 patients undergoing ventricular septal defect closure. Patients were extubated if feasible within six hours after surgery. Based on duration of extubation, patients were divided two groups: Group 1= extubation time ≤ 6 hours, Group 2= extubation time >6 hours. Results: A total of 99 patients were in Group 1 and 36 patients in Group 2. Duration of ventilation was 4.4±0.9 hours in Group 1 and 25.9±24.9 hours in Group 2 (P