Critical importance of tracheal tube cuff pressure management

Table 1 Common techniques for assessing endotracheal cuff pressures[5,9,24]

Method	Description
Minimal occlusive volume technique	Determination of volume of air to inject into cuff based on how much is required to eliminate audible end-inspiratory leak with positive pressure ventilation
Minimum leak technique	Determination of volume of air to injection into cuff based on how much is required to auscultate a small end-inspiratory leak
Predetermined volume technique	Injection of pre-determined volume of air to inflate cuff
Palpation technique	Palpation of pilot balloon after inflating endotracheal cuff
Direct intracuff pressure monitoring	Use of a pressure transducer to directly provide a quantitative pressure reading