Korean J Anesthesiol.  2013 Nov;65(5):438-441. 10.4097/kjae.2013.65.5.438.

Leakage of fluid around endotracheal tube cuffs: a cadaver study

• Birkenfeld F
• Lucius R
• Ewald K

• KMID: 2299416
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2013.65.5.438

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to evaluate the leakage of liquid past the cuffs of tracheal tubes in fresh frozen human heads.
METHODS
Six truncated fresh frozen heads were used and intubated with 8.0 mm endotracheal tubes. The intracuff pressures tested were 30 and 100 cmH2O. Subsequently, 20 ml of each of two oral antiseptic rinses (0.2% chlorhexidine and octenidine [octenidol(R), Schulke & Mayr GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany]) was applied for thirty seconds in the mouth. During the trial, leakage of the cuffs was examined.
RESULTS
The sealing between the tracheal cuff and tracheal wall was leakage-proof for all tested intracuff pressures and all tested antiseptic rinses. However, approximately 5.6 ml and 1.8 ml leaked into the esophagus and remained as a cuff-puddle, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The sealing between an endotracheal tube cuff with an intracuff pressure of 30 cmH2O and the tracheal wall is leakage-proof during oral care with antiseptic rinsing. An increase of intracuff pressure to 100 cmH2O does not appear to be required.

Keyword

Aspiration; Oral hygiene; Tracheal cuff

MeSH Terms

Cadaver*
Chlorhexidine
Esophagus
Head
Humans
Mouth
Oral Hygiene
Pyridines
Chlorhexidine
Pyridines