Endotracheal tubes are flexible plastic tubes inserted through the throat and into the lungs to assist with breathing. They should only be inserted by qualified healthcare personnel to avoid complications such as regurgitation or inadequate ventilation. If long-term artificial ventilation is required, a tracheostomy is recommended.
An endotracheal tube is a flexible plastic tube that is passed down the throat, through the vocal cords and into the lungs. Individuals may require endotracheal tubes while under anesthesia during surgery. Some individuals who are too ill to breathe on their own may need an endotracheal tube. When a patient has this breathing tube in place, it can be connected to a respirator that will breathe for them.
Endotracheal tubes should only be inserted by qualified healthcare personnel. Your doctor or paramedic will use an instrument called a laryngoscope to help visualize your windpipe. This metal tool has a curved or straight blade that extends from a handle. The laryngoscope has a light that allows the doctor to see the vocal cords clearly while the blade holds the patient’s tongue out to the side.
Once the vocal cords are visualized, the doctor will pass the endotracheal tube down the throat and through the vocal cords. It will then inject a small amount of air into the cuff of the endotracheal tube that sits just below the trachea. The purpose of this cuff is to help form a seal and prevent air leakage around the hose. Correct placement of the endotracheal tube is confirmed by listening to the chest with a stethoscope. If there are equal breath sounds on both sides of the chest, the tube is usually in the right place.
Confirmation of correct endotracheal tube placement is important because an incorrectly placed tube can lead to complications. The esophagus is the passage to the stomach that lies just in front of the trachea. If the endotracheal tube is mistakenly placed into the esophagus, it can cause stomach contents to regurgitate and enter the lungs. This regurgitation can lead to a severe case of pneumonia or difficulty breathing.
If the endotracheal tube is inserted too deep into the lung, only one lung will receive oxygen. This will lead to inadequate ventilation of the patient. A prolonged state of inadequate ventilation can sometimes lead to brain damage or death. If the tube is placed too deep, the doctor may pull it back a few inches until air can be felt over both lung fields.
If necessary, the endotracheal tube can remain in place for several days. However, if an individual requires long-term artificial ventilation, a tracheostomy is recommended. This technique involves cutting a hole in the front of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. A breathing tube will then be passed into your lungs through this hole.
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