[Cuff pressure monitoring and regulation in adults].
OBJECTIVE
In adults the use of cuffed endotracheal tubes is the standard technique. Nitrous oxide increases the cuff pressure secondary to diffusion through the cuff membrane. The aim of the study was to verify a newly designed cuff pressure regulating device and comparison of postoperative complications.


METHODS
In a prospective, randomized, open trial the cuff pressure and the incidence of postoperative complications (e.g., hoarseness, coughing and pain while swallowing) were measured using the newly designed automatic pressure monitoring and regulating device Cuff Pressure Control (Tracoe) and a conventional handheld manometer. A total of 40 patients were assigned to the automatic group with a goal of 25.5 cmH(2)O and 40 patients to the conventional group where the pressures were kept between 20 cmH(2)0 and 40 cmH(2)0 with intermittent measurements and manual pressure release.


RESULTS
The automatic device reliably maintained the pressure at the chosen constant level within +/-2 cmH(2)O. In the control group increases in cuff pressure to 40 cmH(2)O were common. The incidence of postoperative complications in both groups was not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion our data demonstrate that the automatic cuff pressure and regulation device was useful and reliable in an adult population of intubated patients in the studied pressure range.
Kunitz
O
O
Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum der RWTH Aachen. oliver.kunitz@mutterhaus.de
Jansen
R
R
Ohnsorge
E
E
Haaf-vonBelow
S
S
Schulz-Stübner
S
S
Rossaint
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D009609:Nitrous Oxide