Role of Neutrophil Activation

Sore Throat Secondary to Endotracheal Intubation: the Role of Neutrophil Activation

Patients will undergo placement of an endotracheal tube (ETT) as standard of care. Tracheal lavage will be conducted using 5 mL of sterile saline solution by a push/suction technique. Specimen samples obtained by wall suction will be collected at 2 time points following intubation.

Blood samples will be obtained at 2 time points, simultaneous with the collection of the tracheal specimens.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Ages 18 to 65
2. American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification (ASA) I and II
3. Required to have endotracheal intubation
4. Scheduled for short admission (<23 hrs), or ambulatory orthopedic surgery (ankle, shoulder, or extremity surgery); general surgery (exploratory laparotomy, cholecystectomy, ventral or inguinal hernia repair); obstetric/gynecological surgery(total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy); urologic surgery (nephrectomy, prostatectomy), lumbar spine surgery( discectomy, one or two level lumbar fusion) procedures.
5. Estimated duration of surgery 3 to 4 hours.
6. Provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. Active pulmonary disease within 5 days prior to enrollment
2. On immunosuppressive medications
3. Previous tracheal surgery
4. On azithromycin
5. Diabetes
6. Pregnancy
7. Smoking history of less than 6 weeks prior to surgery
8. Surgery or intubation within 5 days of surgery
9. Planned surgical procedure involving neck or thoracic regions
10. Active pulmonary disease
11. Autoimmune disease (HIV, AIDS, Rheumatoid Arthritis
12. Hepatitis
13. Cancer