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Fit and seal characteristics of a new paediatric tracheal tube with high volume–low pressure polyurethane cuff
Author(s) -
Dullenkopf A.,
Gerber A. C.,
Weiss M.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2005.00599.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cuff , tracheal tube , croup , anesthesia , airway , auscultation , intubation , surgery , tracheostomy tube , peak inspiratory pressure , resuscitation , tube (container) , tidal volume , respiratory system , cardiology , pediatrics , anatomy , composite material , materials science
Background: To evaluate a new paediatric tracheal tube (Microcuff, Weinheim, Germany) with an ultrathin high volume–low pressure polyurethane cuff. Methods: With approval of the Hospital Ethics Committee tracheas of children undergoing general anaesthesia were intubated using a Microcuff tube. Tube sizes were selected according to: internal diameter (mm) = age/4 + 3.5 in children aged ≥2 years. In newborns (≥3 kg) ≤1 year, ID 3.0‐mm tubes, and in children from 1 to 2 years, internal diameter 3.5‐mm tubes were used. Tubes were classified too large if no air leakage was obtained at an airway pressure of 20 cm H 2 O with the cuff not inflated. Sealing pressure was assessed by auscultation. Post‐extubation croup requiring therapy was noted. Results: Five‐hundred children were studied. In eight children the tubes were too large. Sealing pressure was 9.7 ± 2.5 cm H 2 O (4–20). In two patients postextubation croup required singular short‐term therapy. Conclusions: Microcuff paediatric tracheal tubes provided tracheal sealing with cuff pressures considerably lower than usually accepted. The rate of tube exchange was very low (1.6%), as was the rate of airway morbidity (croup requiring therapy; 0.4%).