Changes in Lung Bacteria and Health Outcomes in Adults After Neurosurgery in the ICU Using Breathing Machines

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how the lung bacteria change over time in adult neurosurgical patients who need mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit ICU. These patients often require breathing support after surgery for brain tumors, brain hemorrhage, or traumatic brain injury. The study aims to understand how disruptions in the lung microbiota caused by surgery, antibiotics, and airway procedures might increase the risk of lung infections like ventilator-associated pneumonia VAP. This prospective observational study will follow 220 postoperative neurosurgical ICU patients at three hospitals from August 2025 to August 2026. Researchers will collect airway secretion samples tracheal aspirates shortly after surgery and at multiple later time points. Using advanced lab methods such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and droplet digital PCR, they will measure the amount and types of bacteria in the lungs to track microbial changes over time without applying any treatment intervention. Participants will be monitored for clinical outcomes including the occurrence of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia within 28 days of ICU admission. The study will collect detailed clinical data along with microbial profiles to explore links between lung bacteria changes and patient recovery, length of ICU stay, and ventilation duration. This information may help develop early detection methods and personalized treatment strategies for lung infections in neurosurgical ICU patients.

Pulmonary Microbiota Changes and Clinical Outcomes in Neurosurgical ICU Patients With Artificial Airways