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Over-inflation of an endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff may lead to tracheal mucosal irritation, tracheal wall ischemia or necrosis, whereas under-inflation increases the risk of pulmonary aspiration as well as leaking anesthetic gas and polluting the environment. The objectives of this two-phase study were to (1) identify the incidence of improper ETT cuff inflation (both over- and under-inflation) using the minimum occlusive volume (MOV) technique coupled with a regular injectable syringe in the anesthetized dogs, and (2) evaluate the performance of two commercially available inflation syringe devices (Tru-Cuff and AG Cuffill®) with the regular injectable syringe in inflating the ETT cuff to a recommended safe cuff pressure range (20-30 cmH O). Dogs undergoing general anesthesia at Purdue Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital were included. The ETT cuff pressure was assessed with an aneroid manometer after the syringe inflation. The results of the first objective showed that a total of 80 dogs enrolled and that 50 of these 80 dogs required ETT cuff inflation. Among the 50 dogs, only 14% had proper ETT cuff inflation; 76% of the ETT cuffs were over-inflated and 10% were under-inflated. Ninety dogs were enrolled for the second objective study and they were randomly and equally assigned to the three syringe device treatment groups. The results showed that 80% of the ETT cuffs were over-inflated in the regular injectable syringe treatment group, whereas only 6.7% and 3.3% ETT cuffs were over-inflated in the Tru-Cuff and AG Cuffill® syringe treatment groups, respectively. The AG Cuffill® syringe treatment group had a significantly ( < 0.05) higher percentage of properly inflated ETT cuffs (86.7%) compared to the other two groups (regular injectable syringe [3.3%]; Tru-Cuff syringe [50%]. We concluded that there was a high incidence of improper ETT cuff inflation when using MOV technique coupled with a regular injectable syringe. The use of an AG Cuffill® syringe significantly reduced improper ETT cuff inflation.

Background: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication following endotracheal tube removal, and effective preventive strategies remain elusive. This trial aimed to determine whether actively regulating intraoperative cuff pressure below the tracheal capillary perfusion pressure threshold could effectively reduce POST incidence in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic procedures. Methods: This single-center, randomized controlled superiority trial allocated 60 patients scheduled for elective gynecological laparoscopic procedures into two groups: one designated for cuff pressure measurement and adjustment (CPMA) group, and a control group where only cuff pressure measurement was conducted without any subsequent adjustments. The primary outcome was POST incidence at rest within 24 h post-extubation. Secondary outcomes included cough, hoarseness, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) incidence, and post-extubation pain severity. Results: The incidence of sore throat at rest within 24 h after extubation in the CPMA group was lower than in the control group, meeting the criteria for statistically significant superiority based on a one-sided test (3.3% vs. 26.7%, P < 0.025). No statistically significant differences were observed in cough, hoarseness, or pain scores within 24 h post-extubation between the two groups. However, the CPMA group had a higher incidence of PONV compared to the control group. Additionally, the control group reported higher sore throat severity scores within 24 h post-extubation. Conclusions: Continuous monitoring and maintenance of tracheal tube cuff pressure at 18 mmHg were superior to merely monitoring without adjustment, effectively reducing the incidence of POST during quiet within 24 h after tracheal tube removal in gynecological laparoscopic surgery patients.Trial registration: The study was registered at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2200064792) on 18/10/2022.

Inflation of the endotracheal tube cuff is needed for providing ventilation. Cuff pressure should be maintained inside the appropriate range to prevent critical airway complications. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pressure changes in the endotracheal tube cuff during otorhinolaryngologic surgery. This single-center observational study was conducted at Severance Hospital in Korea between April 2020 and November 2020. Patients aged >20 years scheduled to undergo otorhinolaryngological surgical procedures were enrolled. Patients undergoing planned tracheostomy and those who were slated for uncuffed endotracheal tube use were excluded. Intubation was performed after the induction of general anesthesia. A pressure transducer was connected to the pilot balloon of the endotracheal tube, and cuff pressure was continuously monitored until extubation. If the cuff pressure was not appropriate for more than 5 min, it was adjusted to the appropriate range by injecting or removing air. The percentage of time for which the cuff pressure remained within the appropriate range was calculated and defined as the time in the therapeutic range (TTR). The presumed cause for the rise or fall in cuff pressure was identified. In total 199 patients, alterations in cuff pressure outside the appropriate range occurred in 191 patients (96.0%). The mean TTR was 79.7% (SD 25.0%), and head and neck surgery had the lowest mean TTR of 69.0% compared to ear and nose surgeries (94.2 and 82.1%, respectively). Sixty-eight patients (34.2%) demonstrated inadequate endotracheal tube cuff pressure for more than 20% of the total anesthesia time. Twenty-six patients (13.1%) demonstrated optimal endotracheal tube cuff pressure for less than 50% of the total anesthesia time. The causative factors inducing inappropriate cuff pressure were found to vary, including positional changes, surgical procedure, anatomical manipulation, and anesthetic procedure. In otorhinolaryngologic surgery, cuff pressure increased or decreased outside the appropriate range due to various factors. Therefore, we suggest close continuous monitoring of cuff pressure during anesthesia for otorhinolaryngologic surgery. clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT03938493.

Correct intracuff pressure of endotracheal tubes and supraglottic airway devices is required to avoid complications such as sore throat, dysphagia and dysphonia, while maintaining an adequate airway seal. However, intracuff pressure monitoring of airway devices during general anaesthesia may not receive the attention it deserves. The aim of this survey was to investigate the current practice regarding intraoperative cuff pressure monitoring in hospitals across Australia and New Zealand. An online ten-question survey was disseminated by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Clinical Trials Network to a randomised selection of 1000 Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Fellows working in private and public hospitals of varying sizes. There were 305 respondents in total, but not all respondents answered all questions. In total, 67 of 304 respondents (22.0%) did not have access to a cuff pressure manometer at their main site of work, and of these, 30 (9.9%) expressed that they would like access to one in their daily practice. Of 288 respondents, 122 (40.0%) reported that they used cuff pressure monitoring as part of their routine practice, but 95 (33.0%) measured the cuff pressure at induction only. For supraglottic airway devices, only 44 of 250 respondents (17.6%) aimed for a cuff pressure of 40-60 cmH2O. Of 255 respondents, 101 (39.6%) aimed for a cuff pressure of 20-30 cmH2O for endotracheal tubes. These findings indicate that educational programmes are required to increase the availability and use of cuff pressure monitoring devices for both endotracheal tubes and supraglottic airway devices across Australia and New Zealand.

Background Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complaint after general anesthesia, especially following thyroidectomy. Materials and methods We examined the effect of adjusting the endotracheal tube cuff pressure during thyroidectomy on the incidence of airway complications. Ninety patients scheduled for elective thyroidectomy were randomized into two groups: control (group A, n  = 45) and experimental (group B, n  = 45). All patients underwent total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. In group A, the cuff pressure was set to 25 cm H 2 O initially and then monitored continuously without adjustment during thyroidectomy. In group B, the cuff pressure was maintained at approximately 25 cm H 2 O throughout the operation. The incidences and the severity of POST, hoarseness, dysphagia, and cough were recorded at 2 and 24 h postoperatively. Results Cuff pressures in group A changed significantly over time ( P  < 0.05) and were higher than those of group B during thyroidectomy ( P  < 0.05). The incidences of POST were lower in group B than in group A at 2 and 24 h postoperatively ( P  < 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the severity of POST at 2 h postoperatively between the two groups. There were no differences in the incidences of hoarseness, dysphagia, and cough between the two study groups ( P  > 0.05). Adjusting the endotracheal cuff pressure during thyroidectomy decreased the incidence and degree of POST. Conclusions Intraoperative monitoring and adjustment of the cuff pressure can reduce POST in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

IntroductionCorrect pressure is important when using a double-lumen endotracheal tube (DLT), especially in thoracic surgery. An inadequate bronchial cuff pressure (BCP) can cause air leak and interfere with visualisation of the surgical field, whereas an excessive pressure BCP can lead to cuff-related complications. Based on several reports that cuff pressure could alter after a positional change when using an endotracheal tube, we hypothesise that a change from the supine position to the lateral decubitus position, which is essential for thoracic surgery, would affect the BCP of the DLT.Methods and analysisThis prospective, single-centre, observational study will enrol 74 patients aged 18–70 years undergoing elective lung surgery from September 2018 to April 2019. The primary outcome will be the change in the ‘initially established BCP’ (maximum BCP not exceeding 40 cm H2O with no air leak in the supine position) after lateral decubitus positioning. BCP and air leak will be assessed in each patient position during inflation of the cuff with air in 0.5 mL increments from 0 to 3 mL. Secondary outcomes will include the incidence of BCP exceeding 40 cm H2O after the initial established value and that of a change in the smallest bronchial cuff volume without air leak after a change to the lateral position. The relationship between the change in BCP and airway pressure, compliance and body mass index after lateral positioning will be investigated.Ethics and disseminationThe study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and supervised by the Daegu Catholic University Medical Center institutional review board (study approval number CR-18–111). All patients will receive information about the study and will need to provide written informed consent before enrolment. The results will be presented at an international meeting and published in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration number NCT03656406; Pre-results.

This paper reviews 28 papers or commentaries published in Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing in 2018 and 2019, within the field of respiration. Papers were published covering endotracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring, ventilation and respiratory rate monitoring, lung mechanics monitoring, gas exchange monitoring, CO2 monitoring, lung imaging, and technologies and strategies for ventilation management.

Postoperative respiratory complications related to endotracheal intubation usually present as cough, sore throat, hoarseness. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of endotracheal tube cuff pressure changes during gynecological laparoscopic surgery on postoperative sore throat rates. Thirty patients who underwent gynecological laparoscopic surgery and 30 patients who underwent laparotomy under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation were included. After induction of general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation, the cuff was inflated to 25 mmHg. At 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after endotracheal intubation, cuff pressure and peak airway pressure were recorded. At 2 and 24 h after surgery, the patients were assessed for complaints of a sore throat. In patients who underwent laparotomy, cuff pressure and peak airway pressure did not change significantly at different time points after intubation. In patients who received laparoscopic surgery, cuff pressure and peak airway pressure were significantly increased compared to initial pressure at all examined time points. In both groups, the endotracheal tube cuff pressure and peak airway pressure were significantly correlated ( R  = 0.9431, P  < 0.01; R  = 0.8468, P  < 0.01). Compared to patients who had undergone laparotomy, patients who had undergone laparoscopic surgery showed significantly higher sore throat scores at both 2 and 24 h after surgery ( P  < 0.01). Pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position may increase airway pressure and cuff pressure, resulting in increased incidence of postoperative sore throat.

Endotracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring is one of the standard degrees of care afforded to anesthetized patients in the operative theater. Traditional pressure transducer when used to monitor cuff pressure provides real time continuous sine wave pressure waveform which has not been described in literature so far. This unique waveform needs to be further processed and evaluated to check its utility in airway pressure monitoring.

Previous research demonstrates that monitoring and adjusting pressures in endotracheal (ET) tubes 30 cm H2O or less and laryngeal mask airways (LMAs) 60 cm H2O or less decrease rates of postoperative pharyngolaryngeal complications. In this evidencebased practice project we examined whether a multistep intervention (departmental education plus reference cards in operating rooms plus addition of cuff pressure documentation variable in electronic anesthesia record) would increase the frequency of providers monitoring intracuff pressures and decrease the rate of high intracuff pressures. Before and after the intervention, we recorded intracuff pressures of 51 ET tubes and 51 LMAs in surgical patients, as well as providers’ self-reported incidence of monitoring and adjusting intracuff pressures. Our multistep intervention increased provider monitoring of intracuff pressures in ET tubes (77% pre- vs 94% postintervention, P = .025) and LMAs (37% pre- vs 94% postintervention, P < .001). Mean ET tube and LMA cuff pressures were significantly lower postintervention: ET tube: pre = 34 ± 16 cm H2O vs post = 29 ± 12 cm H2O (P = .045), LMA: pre = 73 ± 30 cm H2O vs post = 49 ± 15 cm H2O (P < .001). Our multistep intervention improved compliance with intracuff pressure recommendations.