There were only 18 oral care episodes available for
analysis, but they also failed to produce any clinical
or statistical significant change in ICP from baseline
(mean percentage change from baseline, +11%).
There were only nine washing episodes for analysis,
which also appeared to show no clinically significant
change from baseline (mean change, +23%).
Only four children had sedation scores (COMFORT)
recorded during these hygiene interventions (the
remainder were muscle-relaxed) and the mean values
were 12·5–13, demonstrating a deep sedated level
(Ambuel et al., 1992)
The effect of cares after decompressive
craniectomy
Only five children were studied after decompressive
craniectomy. During suctioning, with the exception of
one child, none exhibited clinically significant changes
in ICP (>20 mmHg) during this intervention (mean
change, +15·4%). With turning, none of the children
demonstrated any clinically significant changes in
ICP (mean change, +50%, but none exceeded 20
mmHg). The effects demonstrated would appear to