Changes in the cuff pressure in newborns in the absence of nitrous oxide

After tracheal intubation with a high volume low pressure cuffed ETT (Nextech®, Istanbul, Turkey), the cuff was inflated until there is no audible gas leak. An anaesthesiologist checked the gas leak using a stethoscope guided inflation over the trachea while holding continuous positive airway pressure of 20–25 cm H2O The ETT cuff pressures were monitored simultaneously with a cuff manometer and pressure transducer . The measurements were observed continuously. When the cuff pressure is noted to exceed 15 cmH2O, the cuff was deflated immediately to less than 15 cmH2O. The time when the correction occurred, the time interval between corrections and the number of corrections during surgery were recorded. The baseline cuff pressure was assessed in the supine position after which time a second measurement was made in the prone position. A blind anesthesiologist checked and recorded the cuff pressure. If the pressure was between 10-15 cmH2O, no intervention was performed. If the pressure exceeded 15 cmH2O, the cuff pressure was managed as described above. The cuff pressures were compared over time within patients. In addition, heart rate, end-tidal CO2, temperature and peak airway pressure were recorded every 15 min.