Abstract:
Background : Endotracheal tube displace-
ment is one of the leading causes for airway related com-
plications. Endotracheal tube displacement is much more
common in the prone position than in the supine position.
Method : The study population consisted of 120 patients
aged between 18-60 years, ASA class 1 and 2, undergo-
ing surgery in the prone position who were randomly al-
located into two groups of sixty patients each. The endo-
tracheal 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 endotra-
cheal tube, amount of displacement of endotracheal tube
and also any injuries with either fixation method were
studied.
Result : Both groups were comparable with respect to
mean time taken for the application of the fixation de-
vice, peak airway pressure change after the application of
the fixation device in the supine position and after posi-
tioning 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.
Conclusion : Both methods of fixation of the endotra-
cheal 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.
