Objective To investigate the
incidence of postoperative
intubation -related
complications and the need for measurement and
adjustment of cuff-
pressure of endotracheal tube.
Methods Five hundred and nine
patients of either
sex undergoing elective
surgery under
general anesthesia with tracheal
intubation were divided into 2 groups
control group (group C)and cuff-
pressure measured group (group CPM). Operation
time and duration of endotracheal tube were recorded. Twenty
patients with the duration of endotracheal tube 120-180 min in each group were selected. Their tracheal
mucous membrane was examined by fiberoptic
bronchoscopy at the
time of withdrawal of endotracheal tube.
Postoperative complications including
cough and bloody
sputum were also recorded at 24 h after extubation. Results The two groups were comparable with
respect to age,
sex , operation
time and the duration of endotracheal tube. The
incidence of
sore throat and bloody
sputum was significantly higher in group C than in CPM group. The
incidence of
sore throat and bloody
sputum was significantly increased as the duration of endotracheal tube was prolonged in
control group while in CPM group only the
incidence of
sore throat was increased. Varying degrees of
injuries to tracheal
mucous membrane were observed with fiberoptic
bronchoscope .The
injuries were more serious in group C than in CPM group. Conclusion Measurement of intracuff
pressure is helpful for reducing the tracheal
intubation -related
complications .