Title: A Comparative Study on the Incidence and Severity of Post Operative Sore Throat with and without Controlling Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure
Authors: Sruthi.A, Sheela.P, R.Muraleedharan
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i7.107
Abstract
Background: Endotracheal intubation during general anaesthesia often leads to post procedural complications like post operative sore throat, cough and hoarseness of voice. In this study we tried to determine the effects of controlled ETT cuff pressure in these complications.
Methods: After obtaining approval from Research committee and institutional ethical committee, a total of 170 patients who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria constituted the study population. During the first epoch of 3 months of study period the ETT cuff was inflated till there was no audible leak and during the second epoch of 3 months the cuff pressure was measured and adjusted within the range of 18-25mms of Hg/25-34cms of H2O with the help of a manometer. Patients were questioned for post operative sore throat( POST) at 0 ,12 and 24 hr after the extubation.
Results: In the present study the 2 groups were comparable with respect to age, gender, weight, height, BMI and duration of surgery. The incidence of POST at 12 and 24 hr in the group with controlled ETT cuff pressure was significantly lower than the group with uncontrolled ETT cuff pressure. There was no significant difference in the incidence of POST at 0 hr between the 2 groups.
Conclusion: Proper control of ETT cuff pressure during general anaesthesia with the help of a manometer significantly reduces the incidence and severity of POST.
Keywords: Post operative sore throat, ETT cuff pressure, intubation.
