Many organs are composed of branched networks of epithelial tubes that transport vital fluids or gases. The proper size and shape of tubes are crucial for their transport function, but the molecular processes that govern tube size and shape are not well understood. Here we show that three genes required for tracheal tube morphogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster encode proteins involved in the s...

against good medical practice to continue to use a ‘standard cuff ed tube’ given the weight of evidence supporting the use of newer tube designs to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Th ere is strong evidence supporting the use of subglottic aspiration to prevent VAP [2]. However, other new tracheal tubes, such as polyurethane cuff ed, silver-coated, or low-volume low-pressure tubes...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have identified no strong correlation between patients' height and tracheal length in anaesthetized patients. We have attempted to compare vocal cords-carina distance (VCD) in Chinese patients with the dimensions of five commonly used tracheal tubes. In addition, we attempted to find a surface anatomy measurement that would identify patients with 'short tracheas'. ...

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major healthcare-associated complication with considerable attributable morbidity, mortality and cost. Inherent design flaws in the standard high-volume low-pressure cuffed tracheal tubes form a major part of the pathogenic mechanism causing VAP. The formation of folds in the inflated cuff leads to microaspiration of pooled oropharyngeal secretions int...