User:ShakaluMD/Intubation

Surgeries and procedures[edit]

 * Uses
 * The primary purpose of intubation is maintain an open airway that can facilitate mechanical ventilation. This technique is crucial in instances where a patient's spontaneous breathing may be compromised (surgery under general anesthesia, cardiac arrest, trauma, etc.) and allows for delivery of oxygen as well as maintenance of gas exchange.
 * Indications
 * Surgery under general anesthesia
 * Respiratory failure
 * Sever pneumonia
 * Drug overdose
 * Any condition leading to compromised airway patency
 * Contra-indications
 * Risks/Complications
 * Like many medical procedures, intubation carries inherent risks, such as:
 * Vocal cord injury
 * Damage to teeth and surrounding structures
 * Infection
 * Aspiration of stomach contents
 * Technique
 * Successfully intubating a patient requires practice and precision. Intubations are most commonly performed by Anesthesiologists, Emergency Medicine Physicians or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). A sedative and paralytic agent are given to patients prior to the procedure to minimize patient discomfort and allow for easier manipulation of the airway structures. Patients are manually ventilated with 100% oxygen to ensure adequate blood oxygen levels while the intubation is being performed. Patients are often positioned on their back with their head tilted back in a 'sniffing position' which opens the airway and allows for easier visualization of the vocal cords. After patients are adequately medicated, positioned and pre-oxygenated, a laryngoscope is used to visualize the vocal cords and facilitate the passage of the endotracheal tube into the trachea. Many endotracheal tubes have an inflatable cuff that helps form an airtight seal within the airway. Proper placement of the endotracheal tube is confirmed by listening for breath sounds on both sides of the chest and looking for chest rise.
 * Recovery or Rehabilitation
 * History (e.g., when it was invented)
 * Society and culture (includes legal issues, if any)
 * Special populations
 * Other animals
 * Special populations
 * Other animals

Lead
Endotracheal intubation, commonly referred to as Intubation, is a critical medical procedure used to ensure that a patient's airway remains open and is adequately ventilated. When performing this technique, a flexible rubber tubing is passed through the vocal cords and into the trachea, or windpipe. The tubing is then attached to a ventilator to provide breathing support and facilitate oxygenation. Intubation is an important technique utilized in surgical procedures that require general anesthesia, emergency situations and instances where a patient's survival depends upon proper respiratory support.

It is most commonly done via direct laryngoscopy, where the person performing the procedure directly views the larynx and vocal cords with their naked eye. The use of fiberoptic scopes or scopes with attached cameras is another option for performing intubation utilizing indirect visualization of the larynx.