I too will ask a clinical question.....
I've always felt strongly about using a syringe to deflate the balloon. There are some I've noticed that have no problem simply cutting or ripping the cuff if a syringe is not readily available. I really notice this in PACU when the patient has just gotten there and is ready for extubation, PACU nurses get kind of impatient when you're grabbing for a syringe to deflate the balloon. How does everyone feel about this? I know that there are different situations where cutting the cuff could cause more problems (in the OR).