ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE CUFF PRESSURES DURING ANAESTHESIA: SAFETY OF ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES

Dr. Jatin Lal; Dr. Manu Smriti; Dr. Sarla Hooda

Volume : V, Issue : XI, November - 2015

ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE CUFF PRESSURES DURING ANAESTHESIA: SAFETY OF ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES

Dr. Jatin Lal, Dr. Manu Smriti, Dr. Sarla Hooda

Abstract :

 Background: Optimal endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff pressure guarantees adequate ventilation without air leak and precludes aspiration while maintaining tracheal perfusion. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the routinely used cuff inflation estimation techniques to achieve optimal cuff pressures. Methods: One hundred ASA I–II adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were included for determination of ETT cuff pressures with a pressure manometer after the attending anaesthesiologist inflated the ETT cuff using their routine estimation technique. Results: The various estimation techniques used for measuring cuff pressures were the palpation technique (90%), minimum leak technique (8%) and predetermined volume technique (2%). The mean cuff pressure obtained by estimation techniques was 36.68 ± 11.46 cm H2O with range from 16 to 70 cm H2O. Only 38% of the estimated cuff pressures were within the normal range of 20–30 cm H2O. Conclusion: We conclude that estimation techniques for endotracheal tube cuff inflation cannot be relied upon and suggest the use of manometer as standard intraoperative monitoring tool in the interest of patient safety.