Does Lanz® Endotracheal Tube Offer Advantage in Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia?

Authors: ÖZGÜN CUVAŞ, FATMA DOKUMACI, MEHMET AKİF YAZAR, HÜLYA BAŞAR

Abstract: Aim: Increasing intracuff pressure and postoperative laryngotracheal complications are the important issues in nitrous oxide anesthesia. The Lanz® endotracheal tube is a new kind of tube with a pressure-regulating valve. We aimed to investigate whether or not this tube may be useful in nitrous oxide anesthesia in terms of postoperative laryngotracheal complications. Materials and Methods: The study included 70 female patients, aged 18-60 years. Patients were intubated with the standard endotracheal tube in Group S (n = 35) and the Lanz® endotracheal tube in Group M (n = 35). The intracuff pressures were monitored with a manometer during general anesthesia. Postoperative laryngotracheal complications were recorded after tracheal extubation, at the time of discharge from the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and 24 hours after extubation. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the intracuff pressures in Group S over time (P < 0.001), while the P0 values were maintained constantly at approximately 30 cm H_2O in Group M (P > 0.05). However, intensity and incidence of postoperative laryngotracheal complications were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: The Lanz® endotracheal tube works properly and limits the increase in intracuff pressure but offers no advantage with respect to reduction in the intensity and incidence of postoperative laryngotracheal complications after nitrous oxide anesthesia lasting approximately two hours.

Keywords: Complications, tracheal tube, cuff pressure, nitrous oxide

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