PERFORMANCE-CHARACTERISTICS OF A NOVEL REUSABLE INTERMEDIATE-VOLUME LOW-PRESSURE CUFFED ENDOTRACHEAL-TUBE

Study objective: To evaluate the performance of the reusable intermedi ate-volume low-pressure cuffed ''Super Safety Yellow'' (Willy Rusch AG , P. O. Box 1620, D-71332 Waiblingen, Germany) endotracheal tube with regard to cuff seal, tube tip position, and incidence of postoperative throat complaints. The ''Super Safety Yellow'' was compared with the ''Super Safety Clear'' (W. Rusch AG), the ''lo-pro(TM)'' (Mallinckrodt Laboratories, Cornamady, Athlone County, Ireland), and the ''red rubb er'' (W. Rusch AG) tubes. Methods: Two hundred adult patients schedule d for minor surgery under standardized general anaesthesia were alloca ted to one of these tubes. Past-cuff leakage (indicator: orally instil led 0.2% indigocarmine) as well as intratracheal tube tip position (de gree of being centred) were assessed by fibre-optic tracheoscopy The s emi-standardized interviews for the recording of postoperative sore th roat were performed in double-blind fashion once a day, starting on th e day of operation till p.o. day 3. Statistics: chi(2)-test; significa nce: P < 0.05. Main Results: A past-cuff leakage was found in three '' red rubber'' tubes. There were significant differences in tube tip pos ition with the ''Super Safety Clear'' being best, and the ''Super Safe ty Yellow'' being worst centred (P = 0.010). The incidence of postoper ative throat complaints showed a nonsignificant tendency in favour of the PVC-tubes. A significant number of such complaints were observed i n,women (P = 0.0004) and in obese patients (P = 0.011). By contrast, t his incidence did not significantly differ with age, tracheal cross-se ctional shape, tube tip position. use of atropine, and duration of int ubation. Conclusion: Although resembling the ''red rubber'' tube in th e incidence of postoperative throat complaints, the ''Super Safety Yel low'' may be an alternative to the currently used disposable tubes in anaesthesia. Its performance is comparable with regard to cuff seal an d intra-cuff pressure. Additionally, it helps in reducing PVC waste an d may lessen costs.