The pressures exerted on the trachea by endotracheal inflatable cuffs

Abstract

Summary: The pressures exerted on the tracheal wall by cuffed endotracheal tubes were measured in patients on intermittent positive pressure ventilation. It was found that these pressures can easily be made excessive and sufficient to encourage tracheal necrosis. These pressures exerted by the cuffs were not equally distributed around the tracheal circumference and varied also with the position of the head and with the level of consciousness. © 1970 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.