Tracheal intubation is considered to be the safest method to ensure the airway and to achieve mechanical ventilation in the case of a patient in cardiorespiratory arrest, as well as in other situations that require ventilatory support.

Advantages

-        Protects the airways against aspiration

-        Facilitates ventilation and oxygenation

-        Allows aspiration of secretions from the lower airways

-        Provides a route of administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation drugs

-        Prevents gastric distension due to ventilation

-        Protects the airways against edema and compression

Disadvantages

-        Requires special training and experience

-        Can aggravate pre-existing air obstruction (eg epiglottitis)

-        Can cause local damage (teeth, tongue, soft and hard palate)

-        Potential exacerbation of a cervical spine injury

-        Orotracheal intubation is preferable in: apneic patients, mid-facial fractures, patients with known coagulopathy

-        Nasotracheal intubation is performed in: patients with preserved spontaneous breathing, patients with a short and thick neck

-        Any of the techniques can be used in patients with suspected cervical spine injury provided the neck is immobilized


Translate: tracheal intubation

Last modified: Thursday, 17 November 2022, 10:54 AM