Some Trachs Have It …Some Don't ….The role of the Cuff

A cuffed tube is appropriate for patients who require mechanical ventilation or when aspiration is a problem. The cuff prevents or limits aspiration of oral and gastric secretions. Uncuffed tubes are commonly used in children, adult patients with laryngectomies, and during decannulization of the tracheostomy.

The tracheal tube cuff is an inflatable ‘balloon' that surrounds the shaft of the tracheal tube near its distal end. When inflated the cuff presses against the tracheal wall to prevent air leakage and pressure loss from the lungs.