DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i12.041

Pages: 4840-4843

Tracheal intubation constitutes a routine part of anaesthetic practice. An optimum cuff pressure is absolutely mandatory for proper seal during PPV. 20-30 cmH2O is the optimum cuff pressure. While insufficient pressure may lead to micro-aspiration, over inflation may jeopardise tracheal mucosa blood supply leading to ischemia. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of user experience in the accuracy of cuff pressure estimation using palpation technique. In this prospective randomised study 60 patients were divided into two equal groups of 30 patients each. Group A (cuff pressure assessed by anaesthetists with 5 years’ experience) and Group B (cuff pressure assessed by anaesthesia resident with 1 year experience). In group A the mean cuff pressures estimated by palpation method and the mean cuff pressure obtained by manometer were comparable, whereas a statistically significant difference was found in the mean cuff pressures measured by palpation method and the mean cuff pressure obtained by manometer in group B. From this study we conclude that experience has a positive effect on the ability to accurately estimate the cuff pressure utilizing palpation technique.