Comparison of the application of cuffed or uncuffed endotracheal tubes in full-term newborns undergoing congenital intestinal atresia surgery

Objective To compare the application of cuffed and uncuffed endotracheal tubes in full-term neonates undergoing congenital intestinal atresia surgery. Methods Sixty newborns who were scheduled to perform congenital intestinal atresia surgery under general anesthesia were selected. They were divided into two groups, according to the random number table method (n= 30): a cuffed endotracheal tube group (group C) and an uncuffed endotracheal tube group (group U). Group C used cuffed endotracheal tubes for surgical procedures, while uncuffed endotracheal tubes were adopted in group U. Both groups were compared for the changing rate of endotracheal tubes and airway condition after surgery [the incidence of hypoxemia within 5 min after extubation (SpO2<95%), laryngospasm and post-operative wheezing], and the incidence of inspiratory pneumonia during follow-up visit one week after surgery. Results Patients in group U presented increases in the changing rate of endotracheal tubes (26.7% vs 3.3%), the incidence of hypoxemia within 5 min after extubation (10.0% vs 0), laryngospasm incidence (10.0% vs 0) and inspiratory pneumonia incidence (10.0% vs 0), compared with those in group C (P 0.05). Conclusions Cuffed endotracheal tubes are superior to uncuffed ones in full-term neonates during congenital intestinal atresia surgery, with good efficacy. Key words: Neonate; Endotracheal tube; Anesthesia, general; Congenital intestinal atresia