Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE:

To compare the efficacy of special endotracheal tubes manufactured for carbon dioxide (CO2) laser surgery with foil-wrapped and plain red rubber (RR) endotracheal tubes.

SETTING:

Research laboratory of a metropolitan, university-affiliated medical center.

DESIGN AND INTERVENTIONS:

Six types of endotracheal tubes were studied. Each had 5 L/min of oxygen passing through it and was exposed to 69 watts of continuous CO2 laser radiation for 1 minute or until combustion occurred.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

The plain RR endotracheal tube burned within 15 seconds of laser impact. Aluminum foil-wrapped and copper foil-wrapped RR endotracheal tubes were not affected by the CO2 laser. The shaft of a specially manufactured stainless steel endotracheal tube was not affected by 1 minute of CO2 laser exposure. The shafts of two special endotracheal tubes made of silicone and metal burned vigorously under laser fire.

CONCLUSION:

Copper foil-wrapped RR tubes, aluminum foil-wrapped RR tubes, or stainless steel tubes are recommended for laser airway surgery.