05/12/2026
INTUBATION TIP 🫁 To follow up on our recent SAM, here’s a great example of how to properly perform the Minimal Occlusive Volume (MOV) technique for ETT cuff inflation!
If an ETT is sized properly, then there should no need to inflate your ETT cuff to achieve a seal for your airway circuit 🙅🏻♀️ In order to determine this, one must always perform a leak-test of the ETT using the MOV-Technique:
*keep an eye on the pressure manometer & when the cuff is being inflated 👀
1. Once patient intubated, attach breathing circuit to patient
2. Turn O2 flow meter on
3. Close APL / Pop-Off Valve to allow for positive pressure ventilation (PPV) to occur
4. Anesthetist attaches cuff inflation syringe to be prepped for leak testing
5. Assistant provides a breath via PPV with goal to achieve a circuit pressure of 20cmH2O — this indicates a complete seal of our airway circuit (which includes the patient!)
6. If Anesthetist hears an audible leak and/or the Assistant notifies that appropriate circuit pressure cannot be achieved, then ETT cuff inflation occurs SIMULTANEOUSLY with as PPV is given to achieve the goal of a circuit holding 20cmH2O
7. Open your APL / Pop-off valve!
By performing an ETT leak-test using the MOV Technique, you ensure your patient’s airway is protected from any risk of pulmonary aspiration & staff exposure to inhalant anesthetics, while also minimizing any airway trauma by inappropriate cuff inflation 🙌
This is a topic MACvet is passionate about — educating veterinary professionals on proper intubation techniques 👩🏻🏫💡Every airway is different. Every ETT and other airway equipment is different. This requires we use critical thinking & objective parameters to achieve our goal of providing a protected airway, while minimizing airway trauma as much as possible 🧠
💨💉💊🩺 😴🐶🐱🦜🐰🐢
