Bi-national survey of intraoperative cuff pressure monitoring of endotracheal tubes and supraglottic airway devices in operating theatres. Issue 4 (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Julie; Reynolds, Heather; Pelecanos, Anita M; van Zundert, André AJ
• Is Part Of: Anaesthesia and intensive care. Volume 47:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 378
• Page End: 384
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Endotracheal tubes -- equipment -- cuffs -- monitoring -- anaesthesia -- cuff pressure -- airway management -- supraglottic airway devices; Anesthesiology -- Periodicals; Intensive Care Units -- Periodicals; 617.96
• DOI: 10.1177/0310057X19850581
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0310-057X

Abstract

Correct intracuff pressure of endotracheal tubes and supraglottic airway devices is required to avoid complications such as sore throat, dysphagia and dysphonia, while maintaining an adequate airway seal. However, intracuff pressure monitoring of airway devices during general anaesthesia may not receive the attention it deserves. The aim of this survey was to investigate the current practice regarding intraoperative cuff pressure monitoring in hospitals across Australia and New Zealand. An online ten-question survey was disseminated by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Clinical Trials Network to a randomised selection of 1000 Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Fellows working in private and public hospitals of varying sizes. There were 305 respondents in total, but not all respondents answered all questions. In total, 67 of 304 respondents (22.0%) did not have access to a cuff pressure manometer at their main site of work, and of these, 30 (9.9%) expressed that they would like access to one in their daily practice. Of 288 respondents, 122 (40.0%) reported that they used cuff pressure monitoring as part of their routine practice, but 95 (33.0%) measured the cuff pressure at induction only. For supraglottic airway devices, only 44 of 250 respondents (17.6%) aimed for a cuff pressure of 40–60 cmH2 O. Of 255 respondents, 101 (39.6%) aimed for a cuff pressure of 20–30 cmH2 O for endotracheal tubes. These findings indicate that educational programmes are required to increase the availability and use of cuff pressure monitoring devices for both endotracheal tubes and supraglottic airway devices across Australia and New Zealand.