The aim of this prospective, randomized, pilot study is compare ease of tracheal intubation, amount of microaspiration and efficacy of secretion removal using three FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-cleared endotracheal tubes (ETT) after the induction of general anesthesia in the operating room (OR). Studies in the intensive care unit (ICU) have demonstrated a significant reduction in the incidence of ventilator acquired pneumonia when a ETT with suction above the cuff is used to remove secretions that accumulate above the inflated cuff. This will be the first study to evaluate the efficacy of above the cuff suctioning during general anesthesia and surgery. One hundred and ten adult patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (general, colorectal or gynecological) requiring general anesthesia with an endotracheal tube and mechanical ventilation will be randomized into 3 groups to receive one of the following three endotracheal tubes: 1. Teleflex ISIS HVT Cuffed Tracheal Tube with Subglottic Secretion Suction Port Endotracheal Tube (Teleflex ISIS ETT). 2. Mallinckrodt TaperGuard Evac Endotracheal Tube (TaperGuard Evac ETT). 3. Mallinckrodt Intermediate Hi-Lo Endotracheal Tube. (Standard ETT) The first two groups will be compared to standard ETT (third group) regarding easy of tracheal intubation, efficacy of suctioning of secretions, efficacy of sealing the trachea with an inflated ETT cuff by preventing the movement of test dye (methylene blue) from the pharynx into the trachea and incidence of post-operative respiratory complications.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
A dilute solution of methylene blue (5 ml of 1 % methylene blue solution in saline, 1:1 dilution) will be gently delivered into the hypopharynx using a flexible suction catheter approximately once per hour until trachea is extubated.
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Prevention of the Movement of Test Dye (Methylene Blue) From the Pharynx Into Patients' Trachea During Surgery
The primary objective of the pilot study is to evaluate whether there is a difference between the 3 types of ETT in preventing the movement of test dye (methylene blue) from the pharynx into the trachea, past the inflated cuff. After tracheal intubation a small amount of methylene blue will be instilled into patients' pharynx every 60 minutes. The presence or absence of blue dye above and below the ETT cuff will be evaluated every 20 minutes using a video recording fiberoptic bronchoscope.
Time frame: 4 hours
Evaluation of pH of Secretions Collected Above Endotracheal Tube Cuff During Surgery
Secretions will be continuously suctioned from the suction port of the two ETT with suction above the cuff port (TaperGard Evac ETT and Teleflex ISIS ETT) into a Luken's trap. We will evaluate whether there is a difference in the pH of the aspirate between two ETT with suction above the cuff port.
Time frame: 4 hours
the Ease of Tracheal Intubation Following the Induction of General Anesthesia Among the 3 Types of ETT
Time to intubate trachea
Time frame: 1 hour
Evaluation the Trachea and Vocal Cords at the Time of ETT Extubation to Determine Whether There is a Difference in the Amount of Mucosal Injury Between the 3 Types of ETT.
number of patients with mucosal injury and blood below the vocal cords
Time frame: 4 hours
Evaluation of Volume of Secretions Collected Above Endotracheal Tube Cuff During Surgery
Secretions will be continuously suctioned from the suction port of the two ETT with suction above the cuff port (TaperGard Evac ETT and Teleflex ISIS ETT) into a Luken's trap.
Time frame: 4 hours
Evaluation of Bacterial Load of Secretions Collected Above Endotracheal Tube Cuff During Surgery
Secretions will be continuously suctioned from the suction port of the two ETT with suction above the cuff port (TaperGard Evac ETT and Teleflex ISIS ETT) into a Luken's trap. The number of patients with a bacterial load of the aspirate between two ETT with suction above the cuff port was measured by gram stain of the aspirated secretions.
Time frame: 4 hours
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