Tariq Hayat Khat.
Endotracheal tube connector as a possible source of increased airway resistance.
Anesth Pain Intens Care Jan ;9(2):21-3.

It is a known fact that airway resistance varies with the change in the diameter of the endotracheal tubes. In fact the resistance increases to an amount of sixteen times if the diameter of the tube is halved. Disposable endotracheal tubes are made of PVC material and have a connector fitted to their proximal end. Usually the internal diameter of this connector must be equal to the internal diameter of the tube itself. Tubes of different makes and different origins are available in our country. The hospitals usually purchase the cheapest tubes, due to fund constraints. I present a case report in which the connector of the tube had a disproportionately narrow hole, thereby causing severe respiratory obstruction in a child. I compared the diameters of different sizes of the tubes and their connectors from different producers, and present the data here. I conclude that the anaesthetists should keep in mind the possibility of connector diameter disproportion if encountered with unexpected increased airway resistance in ventilated patients.

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