Complications from unrecognized defects in endotracheal tubes.
Considerable effort has been made to improve endotracheal tubes and make them safer than they have been in the past; yet complications continue to occur, due, in most instances, to inherent defects in the tube. It is not possible to identify these defects in a routine preoperative examination. Three cases are presented illustrating how defects in anode endotracheal tubes almost caused fatalities during anesthesia. Other possible complications and contributing factors causing obstruction of endotracheal tubes are also reviewed. Until some way is devised for the automatic compensation of the increases in volumes and pressures in endotracheal tube cuffs, hourly deflation is recommended to prevent complications.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D008875:Middle Aged