Estimation of tracheostomy tube cuff pressure by pilot balloon palpationPresented at the Intensive Care Society, Annual Spring Meeting, 5–6th May 2005, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Faris, C; Koury, E; Philpott, J; Sharma, S; Tolley, N; Narula, A; Faris C; St Maryʼs Hospital; Koury E; St Maryʼs Hospital;; Philpott J; Royal Marsden Hospital; Sharma S; Poole General Hospital; Tolley N; St Maryʼs Hospital; Narula A; St Maryʼs Hospital
Журнал:
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology
Дата:
2007
Аннотация:
Two methods can be used to assess the intra-cuff pressure of tracheostomy tubes: digital palpation of the pilot balloon and use of a hand-held manometer. We conducted a telephone survey to determine the prevalence of both methods in intensive care units within 21 teaching hospitals across the United Kingdom. Forty-two per cent of the intensive care units surveyed used a protocol for monitoring cuff pressure with a manometer.A study to compare these two methods, using the manometer as the reference standard, was then carried out. The cuff pressure was correctly estimated in pre-inflated tracheostomy tubes, in a tracheal model, by 61 per cent of a cross-section of intensive care unit and otolaryngology staff.Using pilot balloon palpation is inaccurate and leaves a significant proportion of patients at risk of tracheal injury. We advocate the wider availability of hand-held pressure manometers in intensive care units and the institution of protocols for monitoring cuff pressure for any patient with a tracheostomy tube with an inflated cuff in situ.C Faris and E Koury are the joint lead authors.
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