title: Evaluation of microleakage due to cuffs of endotracheal tubes during positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation.
abstract: Mallinkrodt tubes (internal diameter 8.0 mm) with high residual volume and low pressure cuffs were used to evaluate the influence of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on leakage from cuffed endotracheal tubes. A thin smooth epidural catheter (Portex) was placed immediately above the cuff to monitor visually whether methylene blue dye solution (2-3 ml) passed through the cuff and stained the trachea. One hundred male patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgical procedures were randomly divided into five groups: a control group and groups using 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 cm H2O of PEEP during nitrous oxide-oxygen-isoflurane anesthesia. The cuff pressure was set to 25 cm H2O in each group. The cuff pressure was recalibrated and evidence of staining below the cuff was sought with a fiberscope every twenty minutes for a total of three times. Leakage increased with PEEP level but the amount was not statistically significant and the difference between groups was not significant.
authors.forename: Y P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: P Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Y F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration