Paediatric Microcuff Pressure Study

Launched by NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST · Aug 4, 2017

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

During surgery under anaesthesia, use of cuffed endotracheal (ET) tubes is standard practice in adults. The cuff prevents air leak and protects the airway from soiling. Traditionally, in paediatric practice an uncuffed ET tube is used, sized according to the child's age. This prevents damage to the lining of the trachea by excessive pressure from the cuff.

The debate regarding the use of cuffed ET tubes in children is long-standing. New insight into the understanding of paediatric airway anatomy and newer designs of cuffed ET tubes (such as the MicroCuff Endotracheal tube, Halyard Health U...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Parent/guardian's written informed consent / age-appropriate participant assent
• • Age: Birth to 16 years
• • Elective surgery
• • Endotracheal intubation with a cuffed tube required as part of general anaesthesia lasting longer than 45 minutes
• • Planned use of N2O as part of balanced anaesthesia
• • For questionnaire follow up; aged over 8 years without significant neurological impairment
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Weight less than 3kg
• • Laryngeal or tracheal pathology, including respiratory tract infections
• • Difficulty in intubation (\>2 attempts)
• • NG tube placement during anaesthesia
• • Nose, throat or airway surgery