Postoperative Sore Throat—Importance of Endotracheal Tube Conformity Versus Cuff Design

Abstract

Recent investigations suggested that both conformity of an endotracheal tube to the anatomic contour of the [human] pharynx and the design of the cuff may have profound effects on the incidence and magnitude of postoperative sore throat. Endotracheal tube anatomic conformity was evaluated and compared with cuff design as a factor in the occurrence of postoperative sore throat. Endotracheal tubes with pharyngeal conformity due to preformed molding, Lindholm tubes, or flexible tubes with foam-filled cuffs passively filled with room air pressure (Kamen-Wilkinson tubes) do not decrease but rather actually increase the incidence of postoperative sore throat.