Korean J Anesthesiol.  2009 May;56(5):513-518. 10.4097/kjae.2009.56.5.513.

Usefulness of new technique using a disposable syringe for endotracheal tube cuff inflation

• Huh J
• Yoon TG
• Kwon WK
• Joo Y
• Kim DK

• KMID: 1782588
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2009.56.5.513

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.

Keyword

Cuff pressure; Endotracheal intubation; Endotracheal tube

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anesthesia
Female
Humans
Inflation, Economic
Intubation
Intubation, Intratracheal
Male
Statistics as Topic
Syringes