Usefulness of new technique using a disposable syringe for endotracheal tube cuff inflation. |
Jin Huh, Tae Gyoon Yoon, Won Kyoung Kwon, Young Joo, Duk Kyung Kim |
1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Boramae Municipal Hospital, Seoul, Korea. 2Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. dikei@kuh.ac.kr 3Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Korea. |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND Risk for injuries resulting from overinflated or underinflated endotracheal tube cuff warrants adequate cuff inflation technique. Thus, this study was designed to measure the actual intracuff pressures obtained by new estimation techniques. METHODS 95 adult surgical patients requiring tracheal intubation were randomized to two groups with respect to the endotracheal tube model: Portex(R) (n = 55) and Euromedical(R) (n = 40). After induction of anesthesia, the cuff was inflated using new estimation techniques with two different syringes: PR10 or PR20 (passive release technique using a 10-ml or 20-ml syringe, respectively). Subsequently, an aneroid manometer was used to measure the actual intracuff pressures. These inflation techniques were repeated two times. A direct cuff measurement range of 25 to 40 cmH2O was used as a reference for optimal intracuff pressure. Size 7.0 mm internal diameter (ID) tubes were used for women and size 7.5 mm ID for men. RESULTS 88 eligible patients were studied: Portex group (n = 50) and Euromedical group (n = 38). With respect to the rate of optimal cuff inflation, PR10 was significantly higher than PR20 in both groups (56% vs. 10% in Portex group; 63.2% vs. 0% in Euromedical group, respectively) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS When direct intracuff measurement is not available, a new method, named "passive release technique" using a 10-ml syringe, is a useful alternative cuff inflation method. |
Key Words:
Cuff pressure; Endotracheal intubation; Endotracheal tube |
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