Pilot Line Kinking Prevents Cuff Deflation: A Case Report.

We report kinking of the pilot line of an endotracheal tube (ETT). The anesthesiologist found it difficult to deflate the ETT cuff after performing test inflation with air before intubation. We subsequently filled the pilot line with red dye and examined it from the connection with the pilot balloon to the site of entry into the ETT wall. This examination revealed stenosis of the pilot line at the entry into the ETT, making it too narrow for air to flow freely during cuff deflation. The present case emphasizes that preanesthetic checking of the ETT cuff is very important.