The Effect of Body Position on Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure in Morbidly Obese Patients

Background: This study aims to ascertain whether different patient positions affect endotracheal tube cuff pressure in morbidly obese patients. Materials and Methods: There were 40 patients, who have body mass index (BMI) <30 kg/m2 (Group I) and BMI >40 kg/m2 (Group II), included in the study. All patients were intubated with a high-volume low-pressure endotracheal tube. All of the patients were kept in supine, 30° trendelenburg, and 30° reverse trendelenburg positions over a period of 5 min. During this period of time, these patients' endotracheal tube cuff pressures, hemodynamic, and ventilation parameters were measured. Results and Discussion: Peak airway pressure in Group II was statistically different from that in Group I in all of the three positions. The trendelenburg positions in both groups were statistically different from the supine positions, and the trendelenburg position in Group I was statistically different from the reverse trendelenburg position. A significant correlation was established between BMI (r = 0.454) and peak airway pressure (r = 0.492) in morbidly obese patients Conclusion: When morbidly obese patients are in the trendelenburg position under general anesthesia, endotracheal tube pressure is more affected by comparison with those with a normal BMI. For this reason, monitorization of tube cuff pressure is essential for morbidly obese patients in the trendelenburg position.