Effects of Retractors on Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure and Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy during Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Preliminary Study
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Abstract
Background: The surgical retractor had been applied to
visualize the anterior cervical spine during anterior cervical
discectomy and fusion (ACDF). As a result, the recurrent
laryngeal nerve was trapped between retractor and
endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff. An increasing of ETT cuff
pressure with retractor placement might produce recurrent
laryngeal nerve palsy.
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to observe
the effects of retractors and changes in ETT cuff pressure
and to evaluate the influence of ETT cuff pressure
adjustment after retractor placement on postoperative
dysphagia, hoarseness and sore throat.
Methods: A prospective randomized clinical trial was
undertaken with 24 patients scheduled for elective ACDF.
Patients were randomized into four groups: group (A); ETT
cuff pressure was adjusted and maintained at 20 mm Hg
after retractor placement without N2O anesthesia, group
(B); ETT cuff pressure was not adjusted after retractor
placement without N2O anesthesia, group (C); ETT cuff
pressure was adjusted and maintained at 20 mm Hg after
retractor placement with N2O anesthesia and group (D);
ETT cuff pressure was not adjusted after retractor
placement with N2O anesthesia. ETT cuff pressures and
peak airway pressures were continuous recorded.
Postoperative dysphagia (Bazaz dysphagia scale),
hoarseness (GRBAS) and sore throat (NRS; 0-10) were
followed up at 24 h and 1 mo.
Results: 24 ASA physical status I-III patients were
evaluated. There was significantly increased in ETT cuff
pressure values after retractor application when compared
to the baseline values in 4 groups. There was no significant
difference in changed ETT cuff pressure and peak airway
pressure values between N2O anesthesia (C, D) and
without N2O anesthesia (A, B) groups at the same period
of time. Postoperative dysphagia, hoarseness and sore
throat were found in all patients. The data showed
significant lower of the Bazaz dysphagia scale and the
severity score of hoarseness (GRBAS) in the adjustable
ETT cuff pressure to maintain 20 mm Hg after retractor
replacement groups (A, C) at 24 h postoperatively (p <
0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the
NRS of sore throat among 4 groups.
Conclusions: ETT cuff pressure significantly increased
after retractor replacement during ACDF. An increasing of
the cuff pressure was not affected by nitrous oxide used.
Adjusting to maintain ETT cuff pressure at 20 mm Hg after
applied cervical retractor reduced the severity of dysphagia
and hoarseness.
Article Details
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