ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE CUFF PRESSURE MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES: SAFETY AND RELIABILITY: A RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine cuff inflation techniques and corresponding pressure estimations, as well as associated complications, in patients undergoing general anaesthesia with intubation for caesarean delivery at the Tamale Teaching Hospital's obstetric unit. Methods: Finger palpation of the pilot balloon, predetermined volume of air, and a pressure gauge were used to measure endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff pressure after intubation. Associated side effects were determined after 24 hours of endotracheal tube extubation. Results: Data for 384 patients were included in the analysis. Cuff pressure measured among patients varied from < 20 30 cmH2 O for the standard manometer group, 20 to 50 cmH2 O for the predetermined volume of air group and < 20 to > 50 cmH2 O for the finger palpation group. Side effects were recorded in 2.4% of patients from the standard manometer group, 53.2% from the predetermined volume of air group and 83.6% from the finger palpation group. Conclusion: The finger palpation of a pilot balloon technique for cuff pressure estimation was unreliable and prone to cuff over inflation and associated with post-extubation airway complaints. Cuff pressure estimation using the standard manometer was associated with satisfactory patient outcomes.