The Changes of Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressures While Positioning for Adenotonsillectomy or Tonsillectomy Surgery in Children: A Prospective Observational Study

The cuff of the endotracheal tube seals the extraluminal airway to facilitate positive-pressure ventilation and reduce subglottic secretion aspiration. As increase or decrease of ETT intracuff pressures can lead to many morbidities. A total of 140 patients younger than 18 years, who were scheduled for elective adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy operation, were included in the study . A standardized general anesthetic was given and cuffed endotracheal tubes by the assistance of video laryngoscope were placed in all patients. The pilot balloon of each endotracheal tube was connected to the pressure transducer and standard invasive pressure monitoring was set to measure intracuff pressure values continuously. The first intracuff pressure value was adjusted to 18.4mmHg (25cm H2O) at supine and neutral neck position. The patients then were given appropriate position for the surgery. These positions were neck extension and placement of mouth gag These positions were neutral position, extension by under-shoulder pillow and placement of the mouth gag. The intracuff pressures were measured and noted after each position, at every 5th minute while the operation and before the extubating. If intracuff pressure deviated from the targeted value of 20-30cm H2O at any time, it was set to 25cm H2O again.