OBJECTIVETo initially observe the effect of classical endotracheal intubation on endotracheal bacterial contamination and evaluate the validity of protective endotracheal intubation on reducing endotracheal bacterial contamination.

METHODSNinety elective patients undergoing general anesthesia for hysterectomy were randomly assigned to two equal groups. Group II received endotracheal intubation protected by sterilized transparent sleeve while group I correspondingly adopted unprotective classical endotracheal intubation. Endotracheal swab sampling and bacterial counting were performed on the principle of aseptic processing before endotracheal intubation and extubation, respectively.

RESULTSBacteria were found in 62 of 180 samples. The difference of bacterial counting between before extubation and before intubation was (-0.3 +/- 35.6) 100 CFU/ ml in group II, lower than that in group I, which was (21.4 +/- 56.7) 100 CFU/ml (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEndotracheal bacterial contamination may be caused by unprotective classical endotracheal intubation and could be reduced by protective endotracheal intubation.