A simple method to stop air leak in case of severed inflation canal of endotracheal tube

Abstract

In critically-ill ventilated patients, a cut of the inflation canal of the endotracheal tube may occur accidentally. Subsequent airway leak may have serious consequences or even jeopardize vital prognosis in hypoxemic and unstable patients where emergency re-intubation may be hazardous.

We describe a simple method, easy to set-up and using common medical equipment (peripheral venous catheter and three-way stopcock) allowing a transient re-inflation of the tube cuff. This method gives enough time for clinicians to perform safely the re-intubation. It was used in four patients in our department. Airway pressure and tidal volume measurements in three patients were consistent with a complete control of air leak.