One Article to Master Endotracheal Intubation

1. What is endotracheal intubation? Why is endotracheal intubation performed?

Endotracheal intubation refers to the insertion of a special endotracheal tube into the trachea through the glottis, Which opens the patient’s airways, to provide the best conditions for airway patency, ventilation oxygen supply, respiratory tract attraction and prevent aspiration.  

2. Main functions of endotracheal intubation:

Maintain airway patency: Prevent aspiration of oral secretions and gastric contents.

Ventilate and supply oxygen: Good oxygen supply and assisted ventilation contribute to supply the oxygen to the tissue of the body.

Control the depth of anesthesia: Compared with injection anesthesia and mask inhalation anesthesia, endotracheal intubation can effectively control ventilation and thus control the depth of anesthesia.

3. What preparations are needed before endotracheal intubation?

Lubricant or local anesthetic

3 types of endotracheal tubes

Some gauze

Needleless Syringes & Cuff Manometers

Laryngoscope (Make sure the light source is OK)

4. How to intubate?

Select an appropriate tracheal catheter.

Check endotracheal tube cuff for leaks: Use a syringe needle to inject air into the cuff through the test balloon to inflate the cuff, press the cuff, discard it if the cuff leaks air, and prepare for tracheal intubation if there is no air leak.

Trim cannula to proper length.

Apply lidocaine gel on the catheter wall (if necessary, spray lidocaine aerosol on the throat) to reduce laryngospasm.

Keep the jaw in line with the neck, open the mouth.

With the laryngoscope, the intubation tube is inserted into the trachea through the glottic fissure.