• M C B Santhosh, S V Torgal, R Bhat Pai, S Roopa, V B Santoshi, and R P Rao.
• Department of Anaesthesiology, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka, India. id-mcbsanthu@gmail.com
• Acta Anaesthesiol Belg. 2013 Jan 1;64(2):75-9.

BackgroundEndotracheal tube displacement is one of the leading causes for airway related complications. Endotracheal tube displacement is much more common in the prone position than in the supine position.MethodThe study population consisted of 120 patients aged between 18-60 years, ASA class 1 and 2, undergoing surgery in the prone position who were randomly allocated into two groups of sixty patients each. The endotracheal tube was secured either with adhesive tape (Group A) or a Thomas tube holder (Group B). The ease of application and removal, effect on caliber of endotracheal tube, amount of displacement of endotracheal tube and also any injuries with either fixation method were studied.ResultBoth groups were comparable with respect to mean time taken for the application of the fixation device, peak airway pressure change after the application of the fixation device in the supine position and after positioning the patient in the prone position and the time taken for removal of the fixation device. Displacement was significantly larger in group A than in group B.ConclusionBoth methods of fixation of the endotracheal tube are clinically useful in the prone position but the Thomas tube holder is more effective than adhesive tape in preventing displacement of endotracheal tube.

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