The Effect of Endotracheal Tube Cuff Shape on Post-extubation Sore Throat in Critically Ill Patients in a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background: Patients admitted to the critical care unit often require extended periods of mechanical ventilation. After extubation, patients often report discomfort in their throats, coughing, and hoarseness of voice. These symptoms have been linked to the shape of the cuff on the endotracheal tube and are described in terms of the surface area of the cuff in contact with the trachea.