Effect of Body Position Change and Vital Signals on Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure Variations

The body position change, as a common intervention in the intensive care unit (ICU), may affect endotracheal tube cuff pressure changes.

This study investigated the effect of body position change and vital signals on endotracheal tube cuff pressure in children after bidirectional Glenn shunt surgery.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 29 children with an oral endotracheal tube hospitalized in the ICU after Glenn shunt surgery. The endotracheal tube cuff pressure was measured at the patient’s bed placed at a 30-degree angle. Other positions included right and left lateral in bed at a 30° upward angle as well as right and left lateral in bed angle at a 45° angle, respectively. The measurements were repeated every 10 min three times in different positions. Vital signals were measured in each group. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20.

The results showed a significant relationship (P<0.001) between the body position change and level of cuff pressure after positioning patient’s body on their right side at an angle of 30˚, left side at an angle of 30° (P=0.004), and right side at an angle of 45° (P=0.010). The results showed no significant correlation between vital signals and endotracheal tube cuff pressure, except in mean arterial pressure.Implications for Practice: It is recommended that endotracheal tube cuff pressure in patients should be checked and corrected (if necessary), after changing the patient’s body position.