What precaution should be taken when using an uncuffed endotracheal tube during an otorhinolaryngologic procedure?

Using an uncuffed endotracheal tube during an otorhinolaryngologic procedure necessitates particular precautions to prevent complications like aspiration or airway obstruction. Keeping the area around the tube clear and moist is important for optimal visibility and working conditions in the surgical field.

Moistening sponges and placing them around the field serves multiple purposes: it helps to prevent the tubing from becoming too dry, which could lead to airway obstruction, and it can also absorb any secretions, thereby reducing the risk of contamination. This practice is especially crucial during procedures that involve the nasal and throat areas, where excessive bleeding or mucosal secretions may be present.

The other options, although they involve the use of sterile solutions, do not directly address the primary concerns associated with the presence of an uncuffed tube, such as maintaining airway patency and managing moisture in the surgical field effectively. Therefore, ensuring that the surgical area is maintained in a sterile and clear condition with appropriate moisture is critical to patient safety during the procedure.