What is the safest foil tape for endotracheal tube protection during Nd-YAG laser surgery? A comparative study.

Metallic tapes have been shown to protect combustible endotracheal tubes from the CO2 laser; however, no adequate means of protecting such tubes from the Nd-YAG laser has yet been found. In this investigation, five different metallic tapes were evaluated as protection for red rubber endotracheal tubes from an Nd-YAG laser set to 50 W. Radio Shack no. 44-1155 and 3M no. 1430 were quickly perforated by the laser. Laser contact with the adhesive side of 3M no. 433 resulted in combustion. The nonadhesive side of the Venture copper tape was not affected by the laser; however, when its adhesive side was struck, a fire occurred. 3M no. 425 tape provided the best protection: no effect was seen when the laser was aimed at its nonadhesive side for 1 min, with only smoking of the tape evident when its adhesive side was tested. Finally, 3M no. 425 and Venture copper foil tapes were shown to be resistant to an Nd-YAG laser set to 110 watts in an atmosphere of 98% O2.