Why should I try to achieve an intracuff pressure of 60 cm H2O, and how do I measure this?
There is evidence that low intracuff pressures/volumes are beneficial to patients. Low intracuff pressures (less than 60 cm H2O) have been reported to reduce the incidence of sore throat and provide better airway sealing pressures than at high cuff pressures. In addition, low cuff volumes have also been reported to provide a better seal and fiberoptic positioning than at high cuff volumes. LMA intracuff pressure can be measured with any cuff measurement device used with endotracheal tubes. These devices may have different units of measurement, e.g., measure in mm Hg rather than cm H2O; 13.6 cm H2O is equivalent to 10 mm Hg, so 60 cm H2O would be equivalent to ~41 mm Hg. Once the correct pressure is achieved, the clinician can be trained to digitally palpate the pilot balloon to correctly estimate the intracuff pressure.
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- Why should I try to achieve an intracuff pressure of 60 cm H2O, and how do I measure this?
