Pj. Young et al., EVALUATION OF A NEW DESIGN OF TRACHEAL TUBE CUFF TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OF FLUID TO THE LUNGS, British Journal of Anaesthesia, 80(6), 1998, pp. 796-799
A new design of tracheal tube cuff was compared with two types of high
-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) cuffed tracheal tube for leakage of fluid
from the subglottic space into the trachea. Spontaneous and positive-
pressure ventilation were simulated using a mechanical lung, an intuba
ted model trachea and a ventilator. Excised human tracheas were intuba
ted and leakage past the cuff assessed. Distention of the Materials an
d methods tracheal wall was measured. HVLP cuffs leaked rapidly in the
model during all modes of ventilation, and also in the excised human
tracheas. This leakage occurred preferentially down longitudinal folds
that occur in the HVLP cuff wall. The new design complete ly prevente
d leakage in the model during all modes of ventilation, during trachea
l suctioning, and with tube movement. The new cuff also prevented leak
age in the excised human tracheas. Tracheal wall distention and trache
al wall pressures were similar for all cuffs tested.