Hazards of a new, clear, unmarked polyvinylchloride tracheal tube designed for use with the Nd-YAG laser.
OBJECTIVE
To compare a new, clear, unmarked polyvinylchloride (PVC) tracheal tube marketed for use during Neodymium-Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd-YAG) laser surgery with a conventional marked PVC tracheal tube.


METHODS
Research laboratory of a metropolitan, university-affiliated medical center.


METHODS
An Nd-YAG laser set to 70 watts was directed at the tracheal tubes through which 5 L/min of oxygen (O2) flowed. The laser was actuated for 1 minute or until combustion occurred.


RESULTS
The conventional marked tracheal tube was unaffected when the laser was directed at an unmarked portion of the tube. Laser impingement onto the marked portions of the tube led to combustion after 2.6 seconds. The clear, unmarked PVC tracheal tube was unaffected by 1 minute of Nd-YAG laser fire. When blood or mucus was applied to this tracheal tube, however, Nd-YAG laser actuation resulted in a fire in less than 6 seconds.


CONCLUSIONS
The clear, unmarked Sheridan PVC tracheal tube is not recommended for laser airway surgery.
Department of Anesthesiology, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL.
M
M
Sosis
F
F
Dillon
D000770:Anesthesia, Endotracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride
D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride