Which of the following tubes does not have a cuff?

A laryngectomy tube does not have a cuff because it is designed specifically for patients who have had a laryngectomy, a surgical procedure where the larynx (voice box) is removed. In these patients, the airway is permanently altered, and the tube is placed directly in the stoma (an opening in the neck) to bypass the upper airway, allowing for ventilation without the anatomical structures that typically necessitate a cuff.

Cuffed tubes, such as tracheostomy tubes and endotracheal tubes, are typically used to secure the airway and prevent aspiration by providing a seal against the tracheal wall. This is crucial in patients who might need mechanical ventilation or have a risk of aspiration. The absence of a cuff in a laryngectomy tube reflects the specific needs and anatomy of patients after laryngeal removal, where securing the airway in the traditional sense is no longer applicable.