Aspiration pneumonia is a complication of tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.
pH values of tracheal tubes removed from 200 patients were examined.
Of the 200 removed tracheal tubes, 5 had an acidic pH.
The incidence of acidic pH was higher in the prone or head-down position than that in the supine or lateral position.
Anesthesiologists should be aware of the inherent risk of gastric fluid regurgitation.