Have you ever wondered how we can help ourselves breathe if we suddenly stop breathing, or if we are undergoing a major operation? That's when doctors resort to a procedure called ``Intubation.'' Although this is a bit of a scary word, it actually helps save many lives. Let's see what it is, how it is done, and why it is done simply.
What does `(Intubation)` simply mean?
Simply put, `(Intubation)` (intubation) is when a doctor puts a small tube into your windpipe (`(trachea)`) either through your mouth or sometimes through your nose. This tube keeps your windpipe open, so air can easily enter. This tube can then be connected to a machine. This machine sends oxygen or air under pressure into your lungs. We call this `(Mechanical Ventilation)`.
This ``(Intubation)`` has other names:
- Airway intubation
- Endotracheal intubation (ETT)
- Tracheal intubation
These are all names for the same thing.
Why do you need to do this `(Intubation)`?
A doctor may need to intubate you if you are unable to breathe properly due to a blockage, obstruction, or injury to your airway. Imagine, suddenly, you have a serious accident and your chest and neck are injured, making it difficult to breathe. Or, if you lose consciousness, you will not be able to control your breathing. This is when this is necessary.
There are several other reasons to perform `(Intubation)`:
- If your airway is affected by an injury to your stomach, chest, or neck.
- Loss of consciousness (like fainting) or a reduced level of consciousness. This may cause you to lose control of your breathing.
- If you have to undergo a major surgery where you can't breathe on your own. Usually, when we are given anesthesia, it is difficult for us to breathe on our own.
- Respiratory failure. This means that your lungs stop working properly.
- There is a risk of things like food, vomit, and blood being inhaled and entering the lungs (Aspiration) .
- If something gets stuck in the airway and stops the air from flowing, it is called ``Airway obstruction``.
- Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops functioning.
- If breathing temporarily stops (Apnea).
Intubation may be necessary for any of these reasons.
How common is this?
In fact, ``(Intubation)`` is a very common, life-saving procedure. In the United States alone, about 15 million of these procedures are performed in operating rooms each year. In addition, hundreds of thousands of them are performed in emergency situations. So you can imagine how often this is done. It is also done regularly in Sri Lanka.
What actually happens when an Endotracheal Intubation is performed?
Most of the time, this `(Intubation)` is done inside the hospital. However, sometimes, emergency medical services (`(EMS)` personnel) do it outside the hospital.
Here's how this is usually done:
1. First, a small cannula (IV needle) is inserted into a vein in your arm and an anesthetic is given through it to make you sleepy and pain-free.
2. Then an oxygen mask will be placed over your nose and mouth to provide extra oxygen to your body.
3. Your head will be tilted back slightly and a device called a ``laryngoscope'' will be inserted into your mouth (and sometimes through your nose if necessary). The ``laryngoscope'' has a handle, a light, and a blunt blade. This helps the doctor to see the correct placement of the ``tracheal tube''.
4. Next, the ``(laryngoscope)`` is taken from inside the mouth to the back, being careful not to hit the teeth.
5. The flap of tissue (the epiglottis) that hangs at the back of your mouth lifts up to protect your voice box (the larynx).
6. The tip of the `(Laryngoscope)` is passed through your `(Larynx)` into your `(Trachea)` (windpipe).
7. Then, a small balloon-like device is inflated around the endotracheal tube. This ensures that the tube does not move in the trachea, and all the air given through the tube goes directly into the lungs.
8. Now remove the `(Laryngoscope)`.
9. To prevent the breathing tube from moving back and forth, a plaster is placed on both sides of the mouth or a band is placed around the head.
10. Finally, an X-ray is taken to check that the tube is in the correct position, or a bag is used to pump air into the tube and listen to the sounds coming from the lungs.
How long will this take?
In an emergency, a doctor can perform this ``(Intubation)'' in less than a minute. This is something that can be done that quickly.
Can I talk, eat, and drink while the tube is in place?
No. You can't talk. Because this breathing tube goes through your vocal cords. So even if you try to talk, no sound comes out.
Also, you can't swallow while the tube is in place. So you can't eat or drink. Depending on how long you have to stay like this, doctors will give you either enteral nutrition (intravenous nutrition) or saline (IV fluids). Sometimes a separate thin tube may be inserted through your mouth or nose to give you nutrition into your stomach or small intestine.
How do you remove the tube? (What is ``(Extubation)``?)
Once the doctors feel it is safe to remove the tube, they will remove it. This is called ``Extubation``. Here's how it's done:
- The plaster or tape that was holding the tube in place is removed.
- A suction device removes mucus and other debris from your airways.
- The balloon inflated inside the windpipe is deflated.
- Then you are told to take a deep breath and cough or exhale as they pull the tube out.
Your throat (`(Pharynx)`) may be a little sore for a few days after `(Extubation)`. It may also be a little difficult to speak. This is normal, don't worry.
What are the benefits of intubation?
Intubation is a common, generally safe procedure that can help save your life.
The biggest benefit of this is that it can save the life of someone who is having trouble breathing. So, compared to the other minor risks, this is something that is very worthwhile.
What are the chances of survival if intubation is performed?
This really varies from person to person. It depends on a lot of things, like the reason for the intubation, your age, your general health, etc. But one study found that about seven out of ten people who are intubated in an emergency room survive . So that shows how much of a life-saving it is.
What are the risks of intubation?
Although intubation is generally safe, there are some risks. But remember, saving a life is worth more than these risks.
- Aspiration : During intubation, vomit, blood, or other fluids can enter the lungs.
- Endobronchial intubation: A tube inserted into the windpipe (trachea) into one of the two main airways (bronchi) that branch off from the windpipe into the lungs.
- Esophageal intubation: If a breathing tube goes into the food pipe (esophagus) instead of the windpipe (trachea), it can cause brain damage or even death if not treated quickly by a doctor.
- Failure to secure the airway: If intubation cannot be performed properly, doctors may not be able to treat you.
- Infections: Bacterial infections, such as sinus infections, can develop after intubation.
- Injuries: Intubation can cause injuries to the mouth, teeth, tongue, vocal cords, or airway. These injuries can cause bleeding and swelling.
- Problems when coming out of anesthesia: Most people recover well from anesthesia. However, some may have difficulty waking up, or may experience other problems such as fever, muscle twitching (malignant hyperthermia), or temporary or permanent nerve damage.
- Tension pneumothorax (pulmonary collapse): Air trapped in the chest cavity can cause the lungs to collapse.
Even though these things can happen, doctors are very concerned about all of this.
Who is not being intubated?
Sometimes, doctors decide that it is not safe to perform intubation. This can happen if there is a serious injury to the airway, or if there is an obstruction that prevents the tube from being inserted safely.
In such cases, doctors may decide to perform a surgical procedure in your lower neck to open up your airway. This is called a `` tracheostomy.`` This is often done if you need to have a breathing tube for more than a few days, or if you think you may need to have one for several weeks.
How long does it take to heal?
Most people recover within a few hours or days after intubation. However, if you have trouble coughing, swallowing, or speaking even a few weeks after intubation, see a doctor. They may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist).
When should you see a doctor after intubation?
If you experience any of these symptoms after intubation , see a doctor immediately:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing, like shortness of breath
- Difficulty or inability to speak or swallow
- Severe sore throat
- Facial swelling
If you have any of these, definitely tell a doctor.
How serious is intubation?
This depends on why you need to have an `(Intubation)`. Sometimes doctors use `(Intubation)` during planned surgeries. It's not a big deal. But in an emergency, when you can't breathe on your own, when `(Intubation)` is done as a life-saving measure, it's a really serious situation.
Are ``intubation'' and ``ventilation'' two different things?
``(Intubation)`` and ``(Mechanical Ventilation)`` are related to each other. But they are not exactly the same.
- Intubation is the process of inserting a breathing tube into the airway.
- The doctor then connects the tube to a device used to breathe. This device may be a hand-held bag that pumps air, or it may be a ventilator.
- A ventilator is a machine that pumps oxygen into your airways and lungs. Sometimes a ventilator delivers air through a mask over your face instead of through a tube.
Do you understand? Most of the time, the ventilator is connected after ``Intubation''.
What is `(Nasotracheal intubation)`?
This is where doctors insert a breathing tube through your nose. This is often used if you are having surgery on your head, mouth, or neck. It also helps prevent further injury to your neck or windpipe.
Finally, things to remember
The thought of a doctor putting a tube down your throat can be scary. But intubation is a medical procedure that is often done in operating rooms and emergency rooms to help save your life if you can't breathe. Many people experience a sore throat or some difficulty speaking afterward. But those side effects usually go away within a week. So, trust your doctors. They are always trying to do what's best for you.
` Intubation, breathing, emergency care, respiratory support, ventilator, surgery, tracheostomy
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න