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ETT Cuff Manometer

Over-inflated Cuff

This is a measurement of a cuff pressure from "routine practice", meaning without the use of a cuff manometer.

Since any pressure above 30 cm H2O pressure places the patient at risk of the catastrophic complications of ischemia, necrosis and ultimately, subglottic stenosis, it demonstrates why new safety standards are needed in anesthesia:

Check cuff pressure with a cuff manometer with each and every intubation and use the appropriate size ETT for the size of the patient's trachea.

ETT Cuff Manometer Too High

Over-inflation - Corrected

Below is the image of the cuff pressure after it was adjusted with a cuff manometer to the safety limits of between 20-30 cm H2O pressure.

New Safety Standards are needed in anesthesia:

1. Check cuff pressure with a cuff manometer with each and every intubation.
2. Use the appropriate size ETT for the size of the patients tracheal diameter.

ETT Cuff Manometer - Corrected

3 comments:

  1. I'd like to buy my own cuff manometer, searching finds $370 version. Do you have a reasonable priced alternative?

    Thanks,
    Doug Ramey CRNA
    Fort Worth, TX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I buy mine from VBM medical.
      $179/manometer.
      Write to Alden at info@vbm-medical.com
      Website: www.VBM-medical.com
      Thanks for commenting! Pat

      Delete
  2. Does the research/literature recommend a cuff pressure for pediatrics? I haven't been able to locate
    Kandi Smuth CRNA

    ReplyDelete