ABSTRACT
In modern clinical practice, there is considerable confusion regarding ventilator management, especially as it pertains to weaning decisions, timing of extubation, commencement of the weaning process, use of different modes of ventilation, and identification of a failed weaning trial. There is also a debate about the composition of the team involved in the weaning process, the weaning approaches for different diseases, and the definition of a failed weaning trial. During unplanned extubation, not all patients require reinstitution of mechanical ventilation (MV). It has been reported that in fully ventilated patients who experienced unplanned extubation, 23% had no further need for MV and in those already involved with the weaning process, 69% no longer required MV (1,2).
