Endotracheal intubation with current inert low-pressure, high-volume cuffed tubes is a safe procedure associated with few complications in the vast majority of patients. However, complications related to mechanical difficulties and mucosal injury can occur even under ideal circumstances. Immediate complications are primarily associated with problems during intubation and extubation while early and late complications represent the short- and long-term effects of epithelial trauma.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BlancUFTremblayNAG. The complications of endotracheal intubation: A new classification with review of the literature. Anesth Analg (Cleve)1974; 53: 202–13.
2.
StaufferJLOlsonDEPettyTL. Complications and consequences of endotracheal intubation and tracheotomy: A prospective study of 150 critically ill adult patients. Am J Med1981; 70: 65–76.
3.
LevinePA. Hypopharyngeal perforation: An untoward complication of endotracheal intubation. Arch Otolaryngol1980; 106: 578–80.
HildingAC. Laryngotracheal damage during intratracheal anesthesia: Demonstration by staining the unfixed specimen with methylene blue. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1971; 80: 565–81.
12.
DonnellyWH. Histopathology of endotracheal intubation: An autopsy study of 99 cases. Arch Pathol1969; 88: 511–20.
13.
BurgessGECooperJRMarinoRJPeulerMJWarrinerRA. Laryngeal competence after tracheal extubation. Anesthesiology1979; 51: 73–7.
14.
BurnsHPDoyleVSScottAVon NostrandAWPBryceDP. Laryngotracheal trauma: Observation on its pathogenesis and its prevention following prolonged orotracheal intubation in the adult. Laryngoscope1979; 89: 1316–25.
15.
CooperJDGrilloHC. Analysis of problems related to cuffs on intratracheal tubes. Chest1972; 62: 21–7.
16.
ConnerGHBushetMJMaiselsMJ. Prolonged orotracheal intubation in the newborn. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1980; 89: 459–61.
17.
DixonTCSandoMJWBoltonJMGilliganJE. A report of 342 cases of prolonged intratracheal intubation. Med J Aust1968; 2: 529–33.
18.
TonkinJPHarrisonGA. The effect on the larynx of prolonged endotracheal intubation. Med J Aust1966; 2: 581–7.
