Cuff Techniques for Preventing Aspiration

(DICEE Trial)

Enrolling by invitation at 1 trial location
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine whether keeping the cuff of a breathing tube inflated or deflated during removal after surgery better prevents fluids from entering the windpipe and lungs. Participants will receive general anesthesia for their scheduled surgery, and a special liquid will be placed in their throat to check for fluid entry into the airway. After surgery, a chest x-ray will determine if the liquid has entered the windpipe or lungs. The trial seeks adults scheduled for non-airway surgeries expected to last under three hours, excluding those with certain conditions like uncontrolled asthma or recent pneumonia. Participants will be monitored for symptoms such as a sore throat or hoarse voice for up to 48 hours post-surgery. As an unphased trial, this study aims to enhance surgical safety, allowing participants to contribute to significant medical research.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the research team or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that these cuff techniques are safe for extubation?

Research has shown that keeping the breathing tube's cuff inflated during removal might help prevent fluids from entering the airway. Some studies suggest this method can be as safe as deflating the cuff before tube removal. However, concerns exist that removing the tube with the cuff still inflated might harm the throat or vocal cords, and high pressure in the cuff could injure the windpipe.

Conversely, the traditional method involves deflating the cuff before removing the tube. This approach is commonly used and generally considered safe, but it might increase the risk of fluids entering the airway.

Both methods are widely used, and this study aims to determine which one better prevents fluids from entering the lungs. Participants in this study will contribute valuable information on the safety and effectiveness of these two methods.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it investigates different techniques for extubation—removing a breathing tube—aimed at preventing aspiration, which is when food or liquid accidentally enters the airway. The trial compares deflated cuff extubation and inflated cuff extubation. Typically, the cuff on an endotracheal tube is deflated before removal to allow for easier passage, but this trial explores the potential benefits of keeping the cuff inflated during extubation. By evaluating these methods, researchers hope to find if one approach reduces the risk of aspiration more effectively than the other, potentially leading to safer extubation practices.

What evidence suggests that this trial's extubation techniques could be effective for preventing aspiration?

This trial will compare two extubation techniques: Inflated Cuff Extubation and Deflated Cuff Extubation. Research has shown that keeping the cuff inflated during tube removal can reduce the risk of fluids entering the airway. This method helps clear fluids from the windpipe and may prevent tracheal aspiration, which occurs when food or liquid accidentally enters the windpipe or lungs. However, some doctors worry that removing the tube with the cuff inflated might harm the throat or vocal cords. Despite these concerns, evidence suggests it can effectively prevent fluids from entering the lungs.16789

Who Is on the Research Team?

MA

Michael A Lee, MD

Principal Investigator

Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-50, scheduled for non-airway/head/neck surgery under 3 hours with an ASA status of 1-3. Excluded are those with certain lung diseases, anesthesia complications history, contrast agent allergies, difficult airways, improper fasting before surgery, pregnancy or participation in other related studies.

Inclusion Criteria

American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification of 1 to 3
I am scheduled for a surgery that is not on my airway, head, or neck and will take less than 3 hours.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy
Known allergy to iohexol or a previous severe reaction to any contrast agents
Known difficulties with general anesthesia, such as prior anaphylactic reaction, difficult intubation or mask ventilation
See 6 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo scheduled non-airway surgery with either deflated or inflated cuff endotracheal extubation

During surgery
1 visit (in-person)

Immediate Postoperative Monitoring

Participants are monitored for airway contamination and other respiratory parameters immediately after extubation

0-30 minutes
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are assessed for symptoms such as sore throat, voice quality, and dysphagia

24-48 hours
1 follow-up call

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Deflated Cuff Extubation
  • Inflated Cuff Extubation

Trial Overview

The study compares deflated cuff extubation (normal method) and inflated cuff extubation (cuff remains inflated) to see which better prevents fluids from entering the airway after general anesthesia. Participants will be randomly assigned one of these methods during surgery recovery.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Inflated Cuff Arm: 44Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Deflated Cuff Arm: 44Active Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune

Lead Sponsor

Trials
3
Recruited
170+

Citations

1.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26126979/

Could "safe practice" be compromising ...

By contrast, keeping the cuff inflated during extubation will minimize the risk of tracheal aspiration around the ETT, and it will reliably ...

Deflated and Inflated Cuff Endotracheal Extubations

When it is safe to take the breathing tube out, a deflated cuff extubation or an inflated cuff extubation will be performed. This decision will ...

the effects of extubation with an inflated versus deflated ...

This study confirmed that extubation with an inflated HPLV ETT cuff was effective in removing intratracheal contrast. However, other ...

Comparison between Two Endotracheal Tube Cuff Inflation ...

The incidence of post extubation sore throat was 54% (27 in 50) in the JS group and only 12% (6 in 50) in the SG; p= 0.00000797. Conclusion. ETT cuff inflation ...

Minimal occlusive volume cuff inflation: A survey of current ...

Survey response was 71% (80/113). Three methods of MOV were identified. Full cuff deflation, followed by reinflation, removal of 1 mL increments of air ...

Unveiling the significance of cuff pressure in anaesthesia

Underinflated cuffs may compromise the seal between the tracheal tube and the trachea, increasing the risk of microaspiration of oropharyngeal secretions.

Positive- vs. negative-pressure extubation technique

The current literature suggests that PPET is as safe as NPET and may lead to better clinical outcomes, including stable vital signs, improved ...

Effectiveness and safety of endotracheal tube cuffs filled ...

High intracuff pressure in endotracheal tubes (ETs) may cause tracheal lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ...

Extubation techniques in anaesthesia—a narrative review

The aim of this review article was to look at the available current evidence, guidelines and expert opinions on extubation to help provide a summary of risk ...