PVC tracheal tubes exert forces and pressures seven to ten times higher than silicone or armoured tracheal tubes--an in vitro study.

Purpose: Many types of tracheal tubes (TT) including silicone, polyvinylchloride (PVC) and armoured have been used for blind tracheal intubation (TI) via the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) and may cause trauma to the airway. We examined the maximal in vitro forces and pressures exerted by the tip of various TT as it exits the ILMA.

Methods: Silicone, PVC and armoured TT were studied.