Is sealing cuff pressure, easy, reliable and safe technique for endotracheal tube cuff inflation?: A comparative study

OBJECTIVE: To compare the three common methods of endotracheal tube cuff inflation (sealing pressure, precise standard pressure or finger estimation) regarding the effective tracheal seal and the incidence of post-intubation airway complications. METHODS: Seventy-five adult patients scheduled for N(2) O free general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. After induction of anesthesia, endotracheal tubes size 7.5 mm for female and 8.0 mm for male were used. Patients were randomly assigned into one of three groups. Control group (n=25), the cuff was inflated to a pressure of 25 cm H(2)O; sealing group (n=25), the cuff was inflated to prevent air leaks at airway pressure of 20 cm H(2)O and finger group (n=25), the cuff was inflated using finger estimation. Tracheal leaks, incidence of sore throat, hoarseness and dysphagia were tested. RESULTS: Although cuff pressure was significantly low in the sealing group compared to the control group (P<0.001), the incidence of sore throat was similar in both groups. On the other hand, cuff pressure as well as the incidence of sore throat were significantly higher in the finger group compared to both the control and the sealing group (P<0.001 and P=0.008). The incidence of dysphagia and hoarseness were similar in the three groups. None of the patients in the three groups developed air leak around the endotracheal tube cuff.. CONCLUSIONS: In N(2)O, free anesthesia sealing cuff pressure is an easy, undemanding and safe alternative to the standard technique, regarding effective sealing and low incidence of sore throat.