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Evaluation of a technique of nitrogen insufflation to decrease plastic endotracheal tube cuff flammability during
1Department of Anesthesiology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
Study Objective:
To determine whether nitrogen insufflation reduces the laser-induced combustibility of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) endotracheal tube cuffs.
Setting:
Research laboratory of a metropolitan, university-affiliated medical center.
Design And Interventions:
A plastic catheter was fastened along the shafts of 10 PVC endotracheal tubes with self-adhesive copper foil tape down to a level just above the cuff. The modified endotracheal tubes were inserted into graduated cylinders and flushed with oxygen. The cuffs were then inflated with air, and a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser was aimed at them. Five of the modified endotracheal tubes had 10 L/min of nitrogen insufflated via the plastic tube.
Measurements And Main Results:
The laser ignited only 1 of the cuffs insufflated with nitrogen; however, all 5 of the modified endotracheal tubes that were not insufflated burned (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Nitrogen insufflation decreases CO2 laser-induced PVC endotracheal tube cuff combustibility. However, clinical applications of this technique should be undertaken with caution, as the administration of a hypoxic mixture may be possible.