A study to observe the endotracheal tube cuff pressure during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy

Abstract

Aim: The present study was undertaken to observe the the endotracheal tube cuff pressure by manual and automated methods during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. Materials and Methods: The study recruited 60 patients of the age group of 30-60 years 20 and 50 yrs of ASA grade I/II and MPG I/II. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants and confidentiality of data was maintained. Patients with severe complications were excluded from the study. After recruiting, patients were divided into two groups with 30 participants in each group. Group 1 cuff pressure was monitored manually and group 2 cuff pressure was monitored automatically. Results: Demographic data was not significantly different between the groups. There was no air leak from side of ETTc. Airway pressure was significantly high in group 1. No significant difference was observed in tidal volume in both groups. P value for baseline pressure is 0.7504. P value for pressure set up after monitoring cuff is 0.4271. P value for pressure set up after monitoring cuff after one hour is 0.2885. P value for pressure set up after monitoring cuff after two hours is 0.2095. By conventional criteria, this difference is considered to be not statistically significant. Conclusion: The study results confirm that both manual and automated methods are equally effective in the maintenance of respiratory functions. Further detailed studies are necessary in this area.