ORIGINAL ARTICLE


https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10070-0052
Journal of Medical Academics
Volume 3 | Issue 2 | Year 2020

Observational Analysis of Changes in Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure during Laparoscopic Surgery


Hunsehalli Revanasiddappa Narendra1, Aparna Nerurkar2, Shibu Sasidharan3

1Department of Critical Care, Apollo Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
2Department of Anesthesia, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital and Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
3Department of Anaesthesiology, General Hospital, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Corresponding Author: Shibu Sasidharan, Department of Anaesthesiology, General Hospital, Jammu and Kashmir, India, Phone: +91 7507111992, e-mail: shibusasi@gmail.com

How to cite this article Narendra HR, Nerurkar A, Sasidharan S. Observational Analysis of Changes in Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure during Laparoscopic Surgery. J Med Acad 2020;3(2):46–49.

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None

ABSTRACT

Background: Laparoscopic surgery is performed under general anesthesia with mechanical ventilation, and a high-volume, low-pressure endotracheal tube (ETT) with a sealing cuff pressure about 20–30 cm of H2O is commonly used for a proper seal and avoidance of overinflation. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an inhalational anesthetic that is used with oxygen in the ratio 50:50 for the maintenance of anesthesia if there is no facility of medical air. However, N2O increases the intracuff pressure of the tracheal tube due to diffusion of N2O in to cuff during general anesthesia. The present research was done to study the cuff pressure changes during laparoscopic surgeries with N2O anesthesia and to assess its variation during the various stages of surgery and also its correlation with position of the patient.

Materials and methods: A study was done in a tertiary-level hospital over a period of 1 year in 70 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Endotracheal tube was inflated with incremental doses of 0.5 mL of air to a point where no leak on auscultation on the suprasternal area was noted. Cuff pressure measurement using cuff pressure monitor (Hand pressure gauge) was done at the time of first inflation of cuff up to 20–30 cm of H2O and airway pressure, along with total amount of air inflated was noted as “zero” reading. Thereafter, cuff pressure was measured at regular interval of 5 minutes. Cuff pressures and airway pressures were taken just prior to insufflation, 2 minutes after abdominal insufflation, thereafter every 15 minutes throughout surgery, and 2 minutes after desufflation and prior to extubation.

Results: Out of 70 patients, maximum patients were of the age-group of 20–50 years (78.5%). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Cuff pressure at the induction was kept in range of 20–30 cm of H2O. In this study, mean tracheal cuff pressure at baseline was 21.10 + 6.16 (p value of 0.207) and prior to insufflation was 21 + 7.13 (p value of 0.733). The cuff pressures at 2 minutes post insufflation (P2), P15, P30, P45, and P60 were 31.40 ± 12.54 cm of H2O, 25.79 ± 8.68 cm of H2O, 24.61 ± 7.37 cm of H2O, 23.83 ± 9.43 cm of H2O, and 24.63 ± 4.77 cm of H2O, respectively. p value was strongly significant showing a positive correlation between pneumo-peritoneum and cuff pressures. We could see the cuff pressure continuously increasing in successive readings. Post desufflation and prior to extubation, there was a fall in cuff pressure with mean cuff pressure being 17.24 + 5.32 cm of H2O and 15.27 + 4.00 cm of H2O, respectively, which also suggests that cuff pressures increased with pneumoperitoneum.

Conclusion: Use of N2O increases the cuff pressure (31.4 + 12.54 cm of H2O), especially immediately post-insufflation (35.54 + 12.06 cm of H2O), more so in head low position (36.28 + 12.13 cm of H2O). Mean airway pressure (Ppeak) also increased with pneumoperitoneum (22.60 + 4.38 cm of H2O). The regular monitoring of endotracheal tube cuff pressure should be a part of regular safe practice of anesthesia, and use of handy device like hand pressure gauge should be implemented in regular practice where N2O is used.

Keywords: Cuff pressure, Endotracheal tube, Laparascopic surgery, N2O, Pneumo-peritoneum..

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic surgery is performed under general anesthesia with mechanical ventilation, and a high-volume, low-pressure endotracheal tube with a sealing cuff pressure about 20–30 cm of H2O is commonly used for a proper seal and avoidance of overinflation.14

There are several significant respiratory system changes during laparoscopic surgery. Abdominal CO2 insufflation, i.e., creation of pneumoperitoneum, elevates the intrathoracic pressure.5,6 Also, change in patient position either a head-up or head-down tilt results in a change in pulmonary compliance.7,8 However, the impact of these physiologic alterations on endotracheal tube cuff pressure is not yet thoroughly clarified.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an inhalational anesthetic that is used with oxygen in the ratio 50:50 is for maintenance of anesthesia if there is no facility of medical air. However, N2O increases the intracuff pressure of the tracheal tube due to diffusion of N2O in to cuff during general anesthesia.911 This diffusion is maximum during the first hour of N2O anesthesia. Thus, intracuff pressure may increase steadily and reach a level high enough to impede the microcirculation in the tracheal mucosa within 1 hour,12,13 which may cause damage to the tracheal tissue. This represents a major complication of N2O use. Thus, pneumoperitoneum, surgical positioning, and use of nitrous oxide can all lead to various changes in cuff pressure.

Laryngotracheal complications are common after tracheal intubation and also during short duration anesthesia. The major symptoms reported after tracheal intubation are sore throat, hoarseness, and dysphagia.9,14 Although the pathophysiology of post-intubation airway symptoms is not completely clarified, the mucosal damage that occurs at the cuff level and the cuff’s pressure are thought to be essential causative factors for tracheal morbidity.9 Endotracheal tube cuff pressures are not routinely measured. It has been verified that palpation of the pilot balloon is inadequate to detect high cuff pressures.1517 Decreased mucosa perfusion of the trachea is due to cuff pressure greater than 30 cm of H2O.18

The present study is being carried out to assess the cuff pressure changes in laparoscopic surgeries with nitrous oxide anesthesia and to assess effect of various positions during surgery on cuff pressure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The prospective observational study was conducted to assess endotracheal cuff pressure changes in laparoscopic surgeries with N2O anesthesia and also to observe incidence of any postoperative consequences, such as sore throat, dysphagia, hoarseness of voice, and stridor.

This study was done in a tertiary-level hospital in India. After institutional ethics committee approval, all patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgeries in various operation theaters were assessed for the below-mentioned inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients fulfilling all inclusion and exclusion criteria were explained about the study and invited to participate in the study after taking an informed consent.

Inclusion Criteria

  • Adult patient from either gender aged 18–70 years.
  • Patient scheduled for elective laparoscopic surgery requiring nitrous oxide anesthesia with endotracheal intubation and controlled ventilation.
  • ASA grade I/II.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Any contraindications to use of nitrous oxide.
  • Patient having laryngeal diseases and undergoing laryngeal surgeries
  • Patient with any type of airway diseases.
  • Patients with high risk of pulmonary complications.

All patients were premedicated with Injection glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg, injection midazolam 1–1.5 mg, and injection fentanyl 2 μ/kg intravenously. Then, each patient was preoxygenated with 100% O2 for 3 minutes using anesthesia breathing system with circle absorber, and end-tidal carbon dioxide was monitored. Anesthesia was induced with injection propofol at 2–2.5 mg/kg. Neuromuscular blockade was achieved with injection vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg. Each patient was ventilated with O2 and N2O (50:50) for 2½ minutes followed by 100% O2 for 30 seconds.

Under direct laryngoscopic vision, orotracheal intubation was achieved. Endotracheal tube size was selected based on the patient sex and build and clinical judgement of the anesthesiologist administering anesthesia. The correct placement of the endotracheal tube was confirmed by direct laryngoscopy, bilateral chest auscultation, and by checking square waveform on capnograph attached to the breathing system. If any patient needed more than one attempt for intubation or had a traumatic intubation, the case was excluded from the study. All patients were mechanically ventilated using circle absorber system and ventilator. Anesthesia was maintained with oxygen, nitrous oxide (50:50), intravenous propofol infusion (50–150 μ/kg/minute), and intermittent injection vecuronium. Supplemental analgesia was provided with injection fentanyl 0.5–1 μ/kg intravenously every hour. Nasogastric tube was inserted in all patients. No pharyngeal packing was done.

Endotracheal cuff was inflated with incremental doses of 0.5 mL of air to a point where no leak on auscultation on the suprasternal area was noted. Cuff pressure measurement using cuff pressure monitor (Hand pressure gauge) was done at time of first inflation of cuff up to 20–30 cm of H2O and airway pressure along with total amount of air inflated was noted as zero reading. Thereafter, cuff pressure was measured at regular interval of 5 minutes till insufflations. Abdominal insufflation was done in the supine position with the intra-abdominal pressure kept between 10–15 cm of H2O. Head-up or head-down position was given as per surgery. Cuff pressures and airway pressures were taken just prior to insufflation, 2 minutes after abdominal insufflation, thereafter every 15 minutes throughout surgery, 2 minutes after desufflation, and prior to extubation. Change in the position of patient throughout the surgery was noted whenever the cuff pressure was measured. All measurements were taken keeping patient’s head and neck in the neutral position.

If the cuff pressure exceeded 40 cm of H2O, the cuff was deflated to regain pressure of 20–30 cm H2O. If cuff pressure decreased with air leak noted as loss of tidal volume or audible leak of gas, the cuff was reinflated with incremental doses of 0.5 mL of air to a point where no leak on auscultation on the suprasternal area. Total numbers of deflation/inflations events were noted. The maximum tracheal cuff pressures were also recorded in each patient.

Statistical Methods

Descriptive and inferential statistical analyzes were carried out in the present study. Results on continuous measurements were presented on mean ± SD (Min–Max), and results on categorical measurements were presented in number (%). Significance is assessed at 5% level of significance. The following assumptions on data was made.

Data Analysis

The statistical software namely SAS 9.2, SPSS 15.0, Stata 10.1, MedCalc 9.0.1,Systat 12.0, and R environment ver.2.11.1 were used for the analysis of the data, and Microsoft word and Excel have been used to generate graphs, tables, etc.

RESULTS

Table 1 shows mean tracheal cuff pressure of patients during surgery. Here, we could see the cuff pressure at the induction have kept in range of 20–30 cm of H2O has explained in materials and methodology section. In this study, mean tracheal cuff pressure at baseline was 21.10 ± 6.16 (p value of 0.207) and prior to insufflation was 21 ± 7.13 (p value of 0.733).The cuff pressures at 2 minutes post-insufflation, P15, P30, P45, and P60 were 31.40 ± 12.54 cm of H2O, 25.79 ± 8.68 cm of H2O, 24.61 ± 7.37 cm of H2O, 23.83 ± 9.43 cm of H2O, and 24.63 ± 4.77 cm of H2O, respectively. p value is strongly significant showing a positive correlation between pneumoperitoneum and cuff pressures. We could see the cuff pressure continuously increasing in successive readings. Post-desufflation and prior to extubation, there was a fall in cuff pressure with mean cuff pressure being 17.24 ± 5.32 cm of H2O and 15.27 + 4.00 cm of H2O, respectively, which again suggest that cuff pressures increased with pneumoperitoneum.

Table 1: Tracheal cuff pressures: an assessment
Tracheal cuff pressuresMean ± SDDifferencep value
After induction21.10 ± 6.16
5 minutes20.70 ± 5.59  0.348  0.207
10 minutes  9.57 ± 11.59  0.433  0.512
15 minutes21.00 ± 7.13  0.667  0.638
Prior to insufflation21.24 ± 5.90−0.142  0.733
2 minutes post insufflation31.40 ± 12.54−10.300%3C;0.001**
15 minutes25.79 ± 8.68−4.685<0.001**
30 minutes24.61 ± 7.37−3.514<0.001**
45 minutes23.83 ± 9.43−2.909  0.022*
60 minutes24.63 ± 4.77−2.232  0.025*
90 minutes23.47 ± 4.61  0.00  1.000
Desufflation17.24 ± 5.32  3.857<0.001**
Prior to extubation15.27 ± 4.00  5.828<0.001**

Student t test, +Suggestive significance (p value: 0.05 < p < 0.10)

* Moderately significant (p value: 0.01 < p ≤ 0.05)

** Strongly significant (p value: p ≤ 0.01)

Table 2: Mean airway pressures: an assessment
Mean airway pressuresMean ± SDDifferencep value
After induction14.97 ± 3.71
5 minutes15.18 ± 3.36−0.076  0.587
10 minutes16.80 ± 4.00−0.400  0.206
15 minutes14.83 ± 3.66−0.500  0.688
Prior to insufflation15.84 ± 3.71−0.871  0.002**
2 minutes post insufflation21.23 ± 4.62−6.257<0.001**
15 minutes19.83 ± 3.74−4.857<0.001**
30 minutes20.06 ± 4.19−5.086<0.001**
45 minutes20.00 ± 4.15−4.788<0.001**
60 minutes20.05 ± 3.82−4.349<0.001**
90 minutes20.71 ± 3.18−4.059<0.001**
Desufflation14.87 ± 2.94  0.100  0.797
Prior to extubation14.03 ± 3.23  0.943  0.039*

Student t test +Suggestive significance (p value: 0.05 < p < 0.10)

* Moderately significant (p value: 0.01 < p ≤ 0.05)

** Strongly significant (p value: p ≤ 0.01)

The mean airway pressures characteristics are detailed in Table 2. The mean airway pressures (Ppeak) after induction is 14.97 ± 3.71 cm of H2O. Ppeak at 2 minutes post-insufflation, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes were 21.23 ± 4.62 cm of H2O, 19.83 ± 3.74 cm of H2O, 20.06 ± 4.19 cm of H2O, 20.00 ± 4.15 cm of H2O, 20.05 ± 3.82 cm of H2O, and 20.71 ± 3.18 cm of H2O, respectively. p value was <0.001 which is statistically strongly significant. We can notice the increase in Ppeak along with increase in cuff pressure throughout surgery. The same is depicted in tabular presentation below.

Table 3: Maximum levels
MaximumNo. of patients (n = 70)%Mean ± SD
Tracheal cuff pressures
    <20  710.035.54 ± 12.06
    20–404158.6
    %3E;402231.4
Mean airway pressures
    <201825.722.60 ± 4.38
    20–405274.3
    >40  0  0.0
Table 4: Maximum from baseline
Maximum from baselineNo. of patients (n = 70)%Mean ± SD
Tracheal cuff pressures
    <205375.713.56 ± 10.83
    20–401622.9
    >4011.4
Mean airway pressures
    <2070100.07.47 ± 3.82
    20–4000.0
    >4000.0

Table 3 shows maximum cuff pressures and Ppeak measured during the study. In all, 10% of the cases had a rise of %3C;20 cm of H2O, 58.6% had a rise in the range of 20–40, and 31.4% of the patients had a rise of more than 40 cm of H2O. Average rise in tracheal cuff pressure was 35.54 ± 12.06 which was significantly high enough to compromise tracheal capillary blood supply. In all, 25.7% of cases had a rise in Ppeak of <20 mm Hg, and 74.3% had risen in range of 20–40. Average Ppeak measured during the study was 22.60 ± 4.36.

Table 4 showing maximum rise in tracheal cuff pressure and airway pressures during the study of 70 patients. In all, 75.7% of cases had a rise in tracheal cuff pressure of <20 cm of H2O; 22.9% had risen in the range of 20–40 cm of H2O, and one case had %3E;40 cm of H2O from the baseline. Mean tracheal cuff pressure rise from the baseline was 13.56 ± 10.83. Similarly, in all patients, Ppeak measured raised below <20 mm Hg and mean Ppeak was 7.47 + 3.82 from the baseline.

DISCUSSION

Laparoscopic surgery is performed under general anesthesia with mechanical ventilation, and a high-volume, low-pressure endotracheal tube with a sealing cuff pressure about 20–30 cm of H2O is commonly used for a proper seal and avoidance of overinflation.14 There are significant changes in cuff pressure during laparoscopic surgery. The factors affecting cuff pressure are abdominal CO2 insufflation, i.e., creation of pneumoperitoneum, change in patient position, either a head-up or head-down tilt, and use of N2O with oxygen in the ratio 50:50 for maintenance. Intracuff pressure may increase steadily and reach a level high enough to impede the microcirculation in the tracheal mucosa within 1 hour,12,13 which may cause damage to the tracheal tissue.

Studies are lacking in regard to the combined effect on endotracheal cuff pressure comparing N2O anesthesia, change in position, and abdominal insufflation, i.e., pneumoperitoneum. This study was designed to find that correlation.

This is a prospective observational study conducted on 70 patients who are undergoing.

In our study, the base line cuff pressure was same in both groups, which was in a proposed range of 20–30 cm of H2O. We found that there was statistically significant increase in cuff pressure in both groups with time till extubation. Cuff pressure changes started early and increased progressively with time. Most of the patients in our study had the deflation events at 2 minutes and 30th min. This is reflected by subsequent cuff pressures being similar to baseline ranges because the cuff pressures were monitored through the surgery and intervened if pressures went more than 40 cm of H2O. However, the deflation events were more in group II. These findings are consistent with the study by Manissery et al., and they found that increase in cuff pressure was maximum during first hour of surgery till the equilibrium is reached.19 When changes in cuff pressures were compared to change in position, there was no statistically significant difference observed. However, clinically, the percentage of deflation events was more in head low group (40%) when compared to head high group (26%). As stated earlier, this is because of increased cuff pressure in head low position. The total number of air leak events was higher in group II (16%) than group I (6.7%). This can be because of frequent measurement of cuff pressure can lead to loss of cuff pressure and causing air leak. An experimental study conducted by Asai et al.,20 found that there can be loss of pressure up to 6.6 cm of H2O with frequent measurements, more so is noticed when continuous monitoring is used.

CONCLUSION

Our study helps us to conclude that that use of nitrous oxide increases the cuff pressure (31.4 + 12.54 cm of H2O), especially immediately post-insufflation (35.54 + 12.06 cm of H2O) and more so in head low position (36.28 + 12.13 cm of H2O). Mean airway pressure (Ppeak) also increased with pneumoperitoneum (22.60 + 4.38 cm of H2O). The regular monitoring of endotracheal tube cuff pressure should be a part of regular safe practice of anesthesia, and use of handy device such as hand pressure gauge should be implemented in regular practice of anesthesia where N2O is used. The study subject itself draws attention to an often neglected area and is clinically relevant with scope for change in practice in the future.

LIMITATIONS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank all the subjects who consented to participate in this study.

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