Tissue Reaction to Cuffed Tube Materials

Abstract

The tisslte reactions to materials of the cltif of recently dl'7'c/oped high volllme, low pressure tracheostomy tu ht's were assessed by intra-abdominal and intra-nasal implantation in rats. Intra-abdominal implantation over a maximum of threc months showed that the polyurethane and silicone was walled of! by fihrous tissue alld foreign body giant cells. The degree of giant cell reaction ,('as similar to that seen about silk sutures. There was /l0 el'idcnce of hepatic or rCllal toxicity. Polyurethane foam also caused some inflammation and ulceration of nasal mucosa when it was implanted for six days. The degree of ulceration and inflammation ,vas greater thall that secII about all illert implant (cotton w•oo!). Further, there was progression rather than rev('Ysal of these mucosal changes when the foam was removed. These findin{!,s are disC/lssed alld it is conclllded that the demonstrated reactiolls of the tissues to the cllf! II/aterial is acceptable ,chen related to tlie clinical usage of these cuffed tubes.