Abstract

A new endotracheal tube design is described. The design facilitates the repeated injections of lidocaine into the trachea between the tube cuff and the larynx. The lidocaine solution is confined to this area and systemic absorption is slow. Studies of the tracheal cough reflex were done in nine dogs. The lidocaine solution attenuated (2 mg/kg) and suppressed (4 mg/kg) the cough reflex. The lidocaine (4 mg/kg) injection effectively suppressed coughing following extubation in the awake animal. A maximum blood level of 1.6 μg/ml was found in one dog receiving 4 mg/kg.