What is a Cuff Leak

Cuff Leak

The endotracheal tube goes through the vocal cords, the cuff is then inflated beneath the vocal cords to keep the ETT in place

when the cuff is deflated, you should hear an audible air leak from the bedside without a stethoscope

Vocal Cord swelling can occur in the ICU (post op posterior (proned) spine surgery, prolonged intubations, NYD)

Deflating the cuff to listen for an audible leak of air is one way to know whether or not to be suspicious of vocal cord swelling prior to extubation

an absent cuff leak does not always mean the vocal cords are swollen (large ETT in a small person)

If no cuff leak is present, an MD may choose to do a laryngoscopy prior to extubation to physically view the cords (as depicted in the photograph)

A cuff leak will still be present when swelling of the orpharynx or tongue is present and so this should not reassure anyone if the issue is the tounge or an oropharyngiitis