The Effect of Laser-Resistant Endotracheal Tube Design on Airflow Dynamics: A Benchtop and Clinical Study

Compare ventilation pressures of 2 endotracheal tube designs used in laser airway surgery in clinical practice and with a benchtop model to elucidate differences and understand the design elements that impact airflow dynamics.

Ventilatory and aerodynamic characteristics of the laser resistant stainless-steel endotracheal tube (LRSS-ET) design and the laser resistant aluminum-wrapped silicone endotracheal tube (LRAS-ET) design were compared. Ventilatory parameters were collected for 32 patients undergoing laser-assisted airway surgery through retrospective chart review. An in vitro benchtop simulation measured average resistance and centerline turbulence intensity of both designs at various diameters and physiological frequencies.

Baseline patient characteristics did not differ between the 2 groups. Clinically, the median LRAS-ET peak inspiratory pressure (PIP; 21.00 cm H₂O) was significantly decreased compared to LRSS-ET PIP (34.67 cm H₂O). In benchtop simulation, the average PIP of the LRAS-ET was significantly lower at all sizes and frequencies. The LRSS-ET consistently demonstrated an increased resistance, although no patterns were observed in turbulence intensity data between both designs.

The benchtop model demonstrated increased resistance in the LRSS-ET compared to the LRAS-ET at all comparable sizes. This finding is supported by retrospective ventilatory pressures during laser airway surgery, which show significantly increased PIPs when comparing identically sized inner diameters. Given the equivocal turbulence intensity data, these differences in resistance and pressures are likely caused by wall roughness and intraluminal presence of tubing, not inlet or outlet geometries. The decreased PIPs of the LRAS-ET should assist in following lung protective ventilator management strategies and reduce risk of pulmonary injury and hemodynamic instability to the patient.