• M B Sosis.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
• J Clin Anesth. 1993 Nov 1;5(6):468-70.

Study ObjectiveTo determine whether nitrogen insufflation reduces the laser-induced combustibility of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) endotracheal tube cuffs.SettingResearch laboratory of a metropolitan, university-affiliated medical center.Design And InterventionsA plastic catheter was fastened along the shafts of 10 PVC endotracheal tubes with self-adhesive copper foil tape down to a level just above the cuff. The modified endotracheal tubes were inserted into graduated cylinders and flushed with oxygen. The cuffs were then inflated with air, and a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser was aimed at them. Five of the modified endotracheal tubes had 10 L/min of nitrogen insufflated via the plastic tube.Measurements And Main ResultsThe laser ignited only 1 of the cuffs insufflated with nitrogen; however, all 5 of the modified endotracheal tubes that were not insufflated burned (p < 0.05).ConclusionNitrogen insufflation decreases CO2 laser-induced PVC endotracheal tube cuff combustibility. However, clinical applications of this technique should be undertaken with caution, as the administration of a hypoxic mixture may be possible.

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