Efficacy of the three-point cuff palpation technique in preventing endobronchial tube migration during positioning in robotic pelvic surgeries

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: During robotic pelvic surgeries, the shortening of endotracheal tube (ETT) tip-to-carina distance (D(TC)) during pneumoperitoneum with 45° Trendelenburg position can result in endobronchial tube migration. In the three-point ETT cuff palpation (TPP) technique, maximal ETT cuff distension is felt over the tracheal segment located between the cricoid-thyroid membrane and suprasternal notch, which is likely to provide optimal placement. However, the reproducibility and reliability of the TPP technique in preventing endobronchial tube migration are yet to be evaluated. Hence, we compared three ETT placement techniques: TPP technique, intubation guide mark (IGM) technique and Varshney’s formula (VF) for the prevention of endobronchial tube migration during robotic pelvic surgeries. METHODS: ETT placement by TPP was compared with IGM and VF techniques in 100 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical class II-III patients, by assessing the serial changes in D(TC) and incidence of endobronchial tube migration throughout the different phases of pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position using t-test and Chi-square test. Changes in the D(TC) during various phases were also measured. RESULTS: D(TC) (mean ± standard deviation) at baseline and during pneumoperitoneum was significantly better in TPP technique (2.80 ± 0.62 cm and 1.96 ± 0.66 cm) as compared to both IGM (2.50 ± 1.27 cm and 1.41 ± 1.29 cm) and VF techniques (1.83 ± 1.13 cm and 0.98 ± 1.18 cm), P < 0.001. During pneumoperitoneum, the mean shortening of D(TC) was 0.84 ± 0.20 cm, and no endobronchial tube migration was found in TPP technique compared to 20% in IGM and 25% in VF techniques, P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: TPP is a simple and reliable technique, which provides optimal ETT placement and prevents endobronchial tube migration throughout the different phases of robotic pelvic surgeries.