Large-diameter suction tubing significantly improves evacuation time of simulated vomitus

Current suction equipment is often inadequate at clearing the oropharynx. This study tested the hypothesis that evacuation times of simulated vomitus could be significantly improved by increasing suction tube and connection port diameters. Two standard suction systems and a new large-diameter suction system were tested. Mean evacuation times for 90 mL (an average mouthful) of three different vomitus-simulating substances--water, activated charcoal, and Progresso vegetable soup--were compared. All parameters other than suction tubing and attachment port diameters remained constant. The data were analyzed with analysis of variance and Fisher's protected least significant difference post hoc test. Use of large-diameter suction tubing significantly (P < .0001) improved evacuation time for each of the three substances. This improvement was most evident in the trials with activated charcoal and the vegetable soup, where there was a tenfold decrease in mean evacuation time. These results show that large-diameter 3/4-inch suction tubing connected to the 1-inch port is superior to the standard 1/4-inch tubing and connection ports currently used. The tenfold reduction in evacuation time of viscous and particulate materials may have important clinical implications in preventing or minimizing complications from aspiration.