Published online Nov 6, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i31.11419
Peer-review started: May 20, 2022
First decision: August 21, 2022
Revised: August 31, 2022
Accepted: September 29, 2022
Article in press: September 29, 2022
Published online: November 6, 2022
The proper cuff pressure of endotracheal tube (ET) plays an important role in sealing the airway and preventing airway complications during mechanical ventilation. The cuff shape of ET affects the cuff pressure after positional change.
There are only a few studies investigating the cuff pressure change and the degree of migration of ET following anterior-posterior movement during nasal endotracheal intubation.
To compare cuff pressure between TaperGuard ET and conventional ET after extension of head and neck during nasal endotracheal intubation.
In this randomized clinical trial, patients were intubated with nasal conventional ET and nasal TaperGuard ET. After extension of head and neck, the cuff pressure and the degree of migration of tube was measured and postoperative airway complications were assessed.
The cuff pressure significantly increased in the TaperGuard ET, compared to the conventional ET. Additionally, the degree of cephalad migration of ET tip was greater in the TaperGuard ET. The incidence of postoperative airway complications was comparable between groups.
The increase of cuff pressure was higher in the TaperGuard ET than in the conventional ET after head and neck extension during nasal intubation. In addition, the cephalad migration of ET was greater in the TaperGuard ET than in the conventional ET.
The cuff pressure should be carefully monitored after positional change, particularly in when using TaperGuard ET during nasal endotracheal intubation. Further study is required to investigate the association between the shape of ET cuff and postoperative airway morbidity.