NASAL DEFORMITIES RESULTING FROM FLOW DRIVER CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE

Over a period of six months, seven cases were documented of trauma to the nose as a result of how driver continuous positive airway pressure in babies of very low birthweight (VLBW). There was a complication ra te of 20% in the babies who required it. Deformities consisted of colu mella nasi necrosis which can occur within three days, flaring of nost rils which worsens with duration of continuous positive airway pressur e, and snubbing of the nose which persists after prolonged continuous positive airway pressure. These complications should be preventable by modifications to the mechanism and method of use.