Korean J Anesthesiol.  1989 Apr;22(2):243-246. 10.4097/kjae.1989.22.2.243.

A Brief Report on the Endotracheal Tube Cytology of the Upper Respiratory Tract Carcinoma

• Baek WY
• Hong JG
• Park JW
• Kim BK

• KMID: 2240798
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1989.22.2.243

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of the endotrcheal tube contamination by malignant cells in patients with upper respiratory tract cancer undergoing general anesthesia. In 17 patients endotracheal intubation was done and the tube was extubated after completion of the excision of the tumor mass. Following the procedures the outide of the endotracheal tube was swabbed by the cotten tip applicators and the specimens examined cytologically. Two positive cytologic specimens were obtained, they were class III and laryngeal carcinoma in both. This study provides evidence that contamination of the outside of the endotracheal tube can occur when it is passed directly over a carcinoma of the larynx.

Keyword

Endotracheal tube cytology; Upper respiratory tract carcinoma

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General
Humans
Incidence
Intubation, Intratracheal
Larynx
Respiratory System*