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.

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.