Korean J Anesthesiol.  1985 Mar;18(1):98-101.

A Case of Cuff Induced Ball Valve Effect during General Anesthesia

• Lee CW

Abstract

Tracheal intubation has become a commonplace technique often used for general anesthesia. There are few complications due to recent developement of endotracheal tube. The complications of cuffed endotracheal tubes occur as a result of callapse, kinking, foreign body, or secretion within the lumen; occlusion by biting; dislodged cuff overiding the distal orifice: bevel of the tube against tracheal wall; or imperfections on the tube causing flaplike valves. The complications, although infrequent, are relatively formidable and tent to negate to a varing degree the lifesaving potential of prolonged artificail ventilation. We experienced this cuff induced complication and treated patient under the diagnosis of bronchial asthma at begining. But, after extubation, We knew that attack occured as a result of cuff induced ball valve effect.

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General*
Asthma
Diagnosis
Foreign Bodies
Humans
Intubation
Ventilation