Response to letter for critiques on our published article: Effect of tracheal tube cuff inflation with alkalinized lidocaine versus air on hemodynamic responses during extubation and post-operative airway morbidities in children: prospective observational cohort study, Ethiopia.

Endotracheal tube with an inflated cuff was used to manage and maintain the airway during general anesthesia in children. When the lateral pressure exerted by an inflated Endotracheal tube cuff on tracheal mucosa exceeds capillary perfusion pressure, patients may complain of cough, sore throat, and hoarseness in the postoperative period.

Effect of tracheal tube cuff inflation with alkalinized lidocaine versus air on hemodynamic responses during extubation and post-operative airway morbidities in children: prospective observational cohort study, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal tube with an inflated cuff was used to manage and maintain the airway during general anesthesia in children. When the lateral pressure exerted by an inflated Endotracheal tube cuff on tracheal mucosa exceeds capillary perfusion pressure, patients may complain of cough, sore throat, and hoarseness in the postoperative period. This study aimed to assess the effect of a tracheal tube cuff filled with alkalinized lidocaine versus air on hemodynamic parameter changes during extubation and post-operative airway morbidity in children. METHODS: Institutional based observational prospective cohort study was conducted among 56 elective children; aged 3-13 years, who underwent operation under general anesthesia with cuffed endotracheal intubation for greater than one hour by grouping into the air (group1) and alkalinized Lidocaine (group2) at Tikur Anbessa specialized Hospital. Hemodynamic parameters (Heart rate and Blood pressure) and other variables were measured starting from 5 min before extubation to 24th hours after extubation of the endotracheal tube. A Comparison of numerical variables between study group was done with an independent t-test. Data were expressed in terms of mean ± standard deviation. Categorical data were assessed by Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Postoperative Sore throat was lower in alkalinized lidocaine group compared to the air group. The mean heart rate at five minutes after extubation was significantly lower in alkalinized lidocaine group (107.29 ± 6.457 beat per minute (bpm)) compared to the air group (122.04 ± 8.809 bpm), with P ≤ 0.001. Systolic blood pressure was also significantly lower in alkalinized lidocaine group (99.64 ± 8.434 millimeters of mercury (mmHg)) compared to the air group (108.21 ± 11.902 mmHg), p = 0.016 at five minutes after extubation. CONCLUSION: Alkalinized lidocaine inflated tracheal tubes have shown improved hemodynamic and laryngotracheal morbidities in children.