Endotracheal tube cuff pressures - the worrying reality: a comparative audit of intra-operative versus emergency intubations.

Objectives: The primary aim was to assess the need for objective cuff pressure monitoring in the theatre complex and trauma centre at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. Secondary aims were to determine whether the tube size, tube make or place of intubation affected cuff pressure.

Method: Endotracheal tube cuff pressures of 91 patients in the trauma centre and 100 patients in the theatre complex were randomly measured using a Mallinckrodt cuff pressure gauge.