Tracheal tube cuff inflation as an aid to blind nasotracheal intubation

Summary: We have assessed the efficacy of tracheal tube cuff inflation in the oropharynx as an aid to blind nasotracheal intubation in 20 ASA I and II patients undergoing elective oral surgery. The trachea was intubated once using the technique of trachea/tube cuff inflation in the oropharynx and once keeping the trachea/tube cuff deflated throughout the manoeuvre. With the cuff deflated, intubation was successful in nine of 20 (45%) patients; in eight of 20 (40%) it was successful on the first attempt. With the trachea/tube cuff inflated, intubation was successful in 19 of 20 patients (95%), 15 of 20 (75%) of these on the first attempt. The success rates were significantly different (P < 0.01). Times to intubate were not significantly different (P > 0.05). We conclude that, in normal patients, trachea/tube cuff inflation in the oropharynx increases the success rate of blind nasotracheal intubation. (Br. J. Anaesth. 1993; 70: 691-693).