Study objective: To evaluate the performance of the reusable intermediate-volume low-pressure cuffed "Super Safety Yellow" (Willy Rüsch AG, P.O. Box 1620, D-71332 Waiblingen, Germany) endotracheal tube with regard to cuff seal, tube tip position, and incidence of postoperative throat complaints. The "Super Safety Yellow" was compared with the "Super Safety Clear" (W. Rüsch AG), the "lo-pro (Mallinckrodt Laboratories, Cornamady, Athlone County, Ireland), and the "red rubber" (W. Rüsch AG) tubes.
Methods: Two hundred adult patients scheduled for minor surgery under standardized general anaesthesia were allocated to one of these tubes. Past-cuff leakage (indicator; orally instilled 0.2% indigocarmine) as well as intratracheal tube tip position (degree of being centred) were assessed by fibre-optic tracheoscopy. The semi-standardized interviews for the recording of postoperative sore throat were performed in double-blind fashion once a day, starting on the day of operation till p.o. day 3.
Statistics: chi 2-test; significance: P < 0.05.
Main results: A past-cuff leakage was found in three "red rubber" tubes. There were significant differences in tube tip position with the "Super Safety Clear" being best, and the "Super Safety Yellow" being worst centred (P = 0.010). The incidence of postoperative throat complaints showed a nonsignificant tendency in favour of the PVC-tubes. A significant number of such complaints were observed in women (P = 0.0004) and in obese patients (P = 0.011). By contrast, this incidence did not significantly differ with age, tracheal cross-sectional shape, tube tip position, use of atropine, and duration of intubation.
Conclusion: Although resembling the "red rubber" tube in the incidence of postoperative throat complaints, the "Super Safety Yellow" may be an alternative to the currently used disposable tubes in anaesthesia. Its performance is comparable with regard to cuff seal and intra-cuff pressure. Additionally, it helps in reducing PVC waste and may lessen costs.