The macroscopic changes of tracheal mucosa following tight versus loose control of tracheal tube cuff pressure.

Background: Tracheal mucosal lesions have been reported following intubation anesthesia. This has been mostly attributed to improper cuff pressure leading to ischemic damages of the tracheal mucosa. In this study macroscopic changes of tracheal mucosa at the site of cuff inflation were evaluated endoscopically after "tight method" of cuff pressure control using a special water manometer.