TRACHEAL TUBE CUFF INFLATION AS AN AID TO BLIND NASOTRACHEAL INTUBATION

We have assessed the efficacy of tracheal tube cuff inflation in the o ropharynx as an aid to blind nasotracheal intubation in 20 ASA I and I I patients undergoing elective oral surgery. The trachea was intubated once using the technique of tracheal tube cuff inflation in the oroph arynx and once keeping the tracheal tube cuff deflated throughout the manoeuvre. With the cuff deflated intubation was successful in nine of 20 (45%) patients; in eight of 20 (40%) it was successful on the firs t attempt. With the tracheal tube cuff inflated, intubation was succes sful in 19 of 20 patients (95%), 15 of 20 (75%) of these on the first attempt The success rates were significantly different (P < 0.01). Tim es to intubate were not significantly different (P > 0.05). We conclud e that, in normal patients, tracheal tube cuff inflation in the oropha rynx increases the success rate of blind nasotracheal intubation.