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Here's What You Need to Know about Endotracheal Intubation

Endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure for inserting a breathing apparatus in the form of a tube into the throat (trachea) through the mouth or nose. Intubation aims to keep the patient breathing during an anesthetic procedure (anesthesia), during surgery, or in patients with severe conditions who can experience difficulty in breathing. Endotracheal intubation is generally performed on patients who are unconscious, comatose, or unable to breathe on their own. Intubation can help to keep the patient's respiratory tract open and prevent the patient from experiencing oxygen deficiency due to respiratory failure.

Intubation Procedure

The intubation procedure is an artificial breathing technique that is very important to save lives. When the intubation procedure will be performed the doctor will give medicines, such as general anesthesia and muscle relaxants, to facilitate intubation. The patient is then laid down, then the doctor will open the patient's mouth and insert a device called a laryngoscope to open the airway and see the vocal cords. After the vocal cords are visible and open, the doctor will insert a flexible plastic tube called an endotracheal tube, from the mouth into the windpipe. The size of the tube is adjusted to the age and size of the patient's throat. In the process of intubation, if there is difficulty inserting a tube through the mouth, the doctor will insert a breathing apparatus in the form of a special tube through the nose into the respiratory tract. Next, the endotracheal tube will be connected to a temporary breathing pump bag or to a ventilator, which will push oxygen into the patient's lungs. After the intubation procedure is performed, the doctor will evaluate whether the breathing tube has been installed properly, by observing the movement of the breath and listening for breath sounds in both lungs using a stethoscope. If needed, the doctor can do an X-ray examination to make sure the endotracheal tube is installed correctly.

Purpose of the Endotracheal Intubation Procedure

There are various purposes for intubation, namely:
  • Removes obstacles in the respiratory tract.
  • Open the respiratory tract so the doctor can channel oxygen, or drugs, into the patient's body.
  • Help breathing in patients with diseases or conditions that can threaten breathing, such as epilepticus status, asmatikus status (emergencies in asthma that do not improve with treatment), anaphylaxis, severe pneumonia, COPD, pulmonary swelling, severe injury to the face and neck, pulmonary embolism, failure heart disease, severe head injury, or in shock patients.
  • Make it easy for doctors to see the upper respiratory tract.
  • Prevents the entry of food, stomach acid, saliva, and other foreign objects into the lungs, when the patient is unconscious.
  • Providing respiratory support to patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia (anesthesia).
However, in some cases, endotracheal intubation is not possible. Conditions that make a person unable to be intubated, include not being able to open his mouth, severe neck injury, total airway obstruction, intubation failed after repeated attempts, and airway deformity.

Possible Risks to Endotracheal Intubation Procedures

Although it is one of the most important actions to take to provide breathing assistance to patients, endotracheal intubation also has risks, namely:
  • Bleeding and injury to the windpipe, mouth, tongue, teeth and vocal cords.
  • The breathing tube does not enter the throat, but the esophagus. As a result, respiratory assistance provided cannot reach the lungs.
  • The gathering of fluids in tissues and organs.
  • Aspiration pneumonia.
  • Sore throat.
  • The voice became hoarse.
  • Erosion or erosion of soft tissue in the airways due to prolonged intubation.
  • The patient is dependent on the ventilator, so the patient cannot breathe normally and need a tracheostomy.
  • A tear in the chest cavity that causes the lungs are not functioning.
  • An allergic reaction to the anesthetic used.

Things to Look For After Endotracheal Intubation

After undergoing the endotracheal intubation procedure, the patient will experience a sore throat and difficulty in swallowing, but will recover soon after the endotracheal tube is removed. If you experience any of the following symptoms after endotracheal intubation, contact your doctor immediately:
  • Swollen face.
  • Chest pain.
  • Difficulty speaking.
  • Trouble swallowing.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Severe sore throat.
Endotracheal intubation is a procedure that is intended to keep the patient's respiratory tract open, as well as to help provide breathing assistance. If you feel anxious before undergoing an endotracheal intubation procedure, consult a surgeon or anesthetist to get an explanation of the benefits and risks that might occur.

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