Measuring endotracheal tube intracuff pressure: no room for complacency

Tracheal intubation constitutes a routine part in the care of critically ill and anaesthetised patients. Prolonged use of endotracheal with inflated cuff is one of the major multifactorial causes of complications. Both under-inflation and over-inflation of cuff are associated with complications. Despite known problems, regular measurement of cuff pressure is not routine, and it is performed on an ad hoc basis.

Automated summary

Tracheal intubation is a routine procedure for critically ill and anaesthetised patients, but regular measurement of cuff pressure is not standard and may lead to complications.