THE EFFECT OF THE MINIMAL OCCLUSIVE ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE CUFF PRESSURE ON TRACHEAL LEAKAGE IN MECHANICALLY VENTILATED PATIENTS

Abstract

Prolonged intubation and mechanical ventilation have become commonplace in ICU during the last decades. A Key aspect of airway care is cuff care, this responsibility for cuff care has been shifted towards nurses. The critical care nurse plays a crucial role in cuff management and should be proactive in the prevention or early detection of potential complications. Cuff-inflation techniques and cuff pressure (CP) monitoring are critical components in the cuff care. Cuff inflation technique is the most I important prerequisite to avoid tracheal damage. The literature

recommends both ML and MOV techniques for cuff inflation and monitoring CP to prevent tracheal injury. MOV technique is considered the method of choice. The MOV technique represents a compromise between - tracheal injury from high CPs and pulmonary aspiration.