Effect of Body Position Changes on Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure in Ventilated Critically Ill Patients

Inclusion criteria are age 18 - 70 years, oral intubation with a taperguard EVAC endotracheal tube (Covidien®), conventional mechanical ventilation, adequate sedation (Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale -5) and analgesia (Behavior Pain Scale 3 to 4). Exclusion criteria are factors with potential influence on the cuff pressure or factors that disturbed the safety or well-being of the patient: pregnancy, palliative care, difficult intubation, decreased mobility of the neck, history of neck surgery, temperature of \<35°C or \>37.5°C, morbid obesity (body mass index \>35) and every potential contra-indication for position changes such as unstable spinal cord injury or hemodynamic and/or respiratory instability.