Endotracheal Intubation

Endotracheal intubation
Endotracheal Intubation is a medical procedure that involves inserting a flexible

plastic tube down a person’s throat. This is a common procedure carried out in
operating rooms and emergency rooms around the world.
An endotracheal tube is a flexible tube that is placed in the trachea (windpipe)

through the mouth or nose. It can be used to assist with breathing during surgery
or to support breathing in people with lung disease, chest trauma, or airway
obstruction.
Medications and numbing sprays can help reduce discomfort and make the
placement of the tube easier. However, endotracheal tubes can cause side
effects like vocal hoarseness and sore throat. When used for a prolonged time,
severe complications like pneumonia and collapsed lung may occur.
This article explains when endotracheal tubes are needed, how they are placed,
and the possible risks and complications.
The primary purposes of intubation include:
 opening up the airway to give oxygen, anaesthetic, or medicine

 removing blockages
 helping a person breathe if they have collapsed lungs, heart failure, or
trauma
 allowing doctors to look at the airways
 helping to prevent a person from breathing in liquids
There are many reasons why endotracheal intubation is used, including:
 Surgery: When a person is under general anesthesia, the lungs are

paralyzed. Intubation allows the tube to be connected to a mechanical
ventilator to assist with breathing.
 Breathing support: An endotracheal tube can support breathing in
people with severe pneumonia, a head injury, collapsed lung, respiratory
failure, congestive heart failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS), or other conditions that affect breathing.
 Foreign object obstruction: Endotracheal intubation can help remove
a foreign object lodged in the airway.
 Airway protection: An endotracheal tube can prevent the contents of the
stomach from getting into the lungs during a massive gastrointestinal
bleed.
Types
There are several different types of intubations. Doctors classify them based on
the location of the tube and what it is trying to accomplish.
Some common types of intubations include:
 Nasogastric intubation Trusted Source: This involves passing the tube

through the nose and into the stomach to remove air or to feed or provide
medications to the person.
 Endotracheal intubation: Where a doctor passes the tube through the
nose or mouth into the trachea to help a person breathe Trusted
Source while under anaesthetic or due to a distressed airway.
 Fiber-optic intubation: In which a doctor inserts the tube into the throat
to examine the throat or assist endotracheal intubation when a person
cannot extend or flex their head.
Procedure
The intubation procedure will vary depending on its purpose and whether it
occurs in an operating room or an emergency situation.
In the operating room or another controlled setting, a doctor will typically

sedate the person using an anaesthetic. The doctor will then insert an instrument
called a laryngoscope into the person’s mouth to aid insertion of the flexible
tubing.
The doctor uses the laryngoscope to locate sensitive tissues, such as the vocal
cords, and avoid damaging them. If the doctor is having trouble seeing, they
may insert a tiny camera to help guide them.
In the operating room, doctors usually use intubation to help a person breathe
while they are under anaesthetic.
Once they have inserted the tube, a doctor will listen to the person’s breathing
to make sure the tube is in the correct spot. A doctor typically attaches the tube
to a ventilator.
When the person no longer has difficulty breathing, the doctor will remove the
tube from the person’s throat.
In emergencies, a healthcare provider may need to perform intubation to save a

person’s life. It can be a very useful procedure to assist with airway
management and has been a beneficial tool during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emergency intubation can be a risky procedure that often requires a clear plan,
imaging scans to guide placing the tube, and team member role allocation to
ensure safe and effective intubation and help avoid potential adverse events
Trusted Source.
Side effects
Potential side effects of intubation include:
 damage to the vocal cords

 bleeding
 infection
 tearing or puncturing of tissue in the chest cavity that can lead to lung
collapse
 injury to throat or trachea
 damage to dental work or injury to teeth
 fluid buildup
 aspiration
Adverse events are more likely to occur if a doctor performs intubation in an

emergency. However, it is vital to remember that intubation can be a life-saving
procedure in these cases.
Mild side effects that may occur after the procedure include:
 a sore throat
 pain
 sinusitis
 speech difficulties
 difficulty swallowing
More severe side effects that can occur may include pneumonia and difficulty
breathing.
In rare cases, a person may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

especially if they were not fully sedated or psychologically prepared for the
procedure.
Finally, anesthesia also has some risks. Although most people will not
experience any side effects from aesthesia, some people, such as older adults or
people with obesity, are at higher risk of developing complications.
Many people feel nauseated and may vomit after waking up from anesthesia.
They may also experience temporary confusion or memory loss.
A doctor will talk to a person about the full list of risks before they undergo
surgery.
Recovery
Many people will experience a sore throat and difficulty swallowing

immediately after intubation, but recovery is usually quick, taking several hours
to several days depending on the time spent intubated.
However, if a person experience any of the following symptoms following their

procedure, they should let their doctor know immediately as these could be
signs of more serious issues:
 a severe sore throat

 pain in the chest
 difficulty speaking or swallowing
 shortness of breath
 pain in the neck
 facial swelling
ventilator
Intubation refers to placing a tube in the throat to help move air in and out of the
lungs. Mechanical ventilation is similar as it involves intubation, but instead
uses a breathing machine, known as a ventilator, to assist with breathing. Some
people may also refer to ventilators as life-support machines.
Healthcare providers will typically place a tube into the mouth or nose of a
person, then connect the tube to the ventilator. The machine creates positive
pressure that forces air into the lungs, which helps hold the lungs open and
assists with maintaining breathing.
Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy Trusted Source is a surgical procedure that involves a surgeon

making a hole at the front of the neck and inserting a breathing tube directly
into the trachea, or windpipe.
People may also call this procedure a tracheotomy, which refers to the incision,
while doctors call the opening a tracheostomy. Due to the incision’s placement,
a person is able to breathe through the tube rather than the nose and mouth.
This differs from intubation, as intubation does not typically involve surgery
and the healthcare team places a tube into the trachea via the mouth or nose.

Endotracheal Intubation

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Endotracheal intubation

Endotracheal Intubation is a medical procedure that involves inserting a flexible

An endotracheal tube is a flexible tube that is placed in the trachea (windpipe)

The primary purposes of intubation include:

 opening up the airway to give oxygen, anaesthetic, or medicine

There are many reasons why endotracheal intubation is used, including:

 Surgery: When a person is under general anesthesia, the lungs are

Some common types of intubations include:

 Nasogastric intubation Trusted Source: This involves passing the tube

In the operating room or another controlled setting, a doctor will typically

In emergencies, a healthcare provider may need to perform intubation to save a

Potential side effects of intubation include:

 damage to the vocal cords

Adverse events are more likely to occur if a doctor performs intubation in an

In rare cases, a person may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

Many people will experience a sore throat and difficulty swallowing

However, if a person experience any of the following symptoms following their

 a severe sore throat

A tracheostomy Trusted Source is a surgical procedure that involves a surgeon

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