Intubation and Mechanical Ventilation
Definition
Intubation places a tube in the throat to help move air in and out of the lungs. Mechanical ventilation is the use of a machine to move the air in and out of the lungs.
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Reasons for Procedure
This is often done in an emergency to help a person breathe. Breathing problems may be due to an injury or illness.
It may also be done during surgery. Anesthesia can cause breathing problems.
Possible Complications
Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as:
- Infection
- Damage to teeth, lips, or tongue
- A collapsed or injured lung
- Damage to the trachea or voice box resulting in pain, hoarseness, or problems breathing
Things that may raise the risk of problems are:
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
If mechanical ventilation will be part of surgery, the care team may meet with you to talk about:
- Anesthesia options
- Any allergies you may have
- Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before surgery
- Fasting before surgery, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
Anesthesia
The doctor may give:
- Sedation—you will be in a relaxed state
- Local anesthesia—the throat will be numbed
- General anesthesia—you will be asleep
Description of the Procedure
Your head will be tilted back. A scope will be used to open the airway and view inside the throat. One end of a breathing tube will be passed through the airway and into the lower windpipe. The scope will be removed. The tube will be secured.
A flexible tube will be attached to the breathing tube and connected to a ventilator machine. The machine will move air in and out of the lungs. Some ventilation can be done with a tube inserted through the nose instead of the mouth.
Immediately After Procedure
Right after the procedure, the doctor will:
- Listen to the lungs to make sure air is moving to both lungs
- Do a chest x-ray to make sure the tip of the tube is in the right place
- Measure the level of gases in the blood to make sure enough air is moving
How Long Will It Take?
It will take less 5 minutes to put the breathing tube in. How long the ventilator is used depends on the reason why it is needed.
Will It Hurt?
A sore throat is common for a few days after the tube is removed.
Average Hospital Stay
The length of stay will depend on why you needed support.
Post-procedure Care
At the Hospital
People are not able to eat, drink, or talk until the tube is removed. Nutrients and fluids will be given through an IV.
Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if you are not feeling better or you have:
- Signs of infection, such as fever or chills
- Problems breathing
- Lasting cough
- A hoarse voice
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
RESOURCES:
American Lung Association
http://www.lung.org
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
http://www.aafa.org
REFERENCES:
Goligher E, Ferguson ND. Mechanical ventilation: epidemiological insights into current practices. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2009 Feb;15(1):44-51.
Mechanical ventilation. American Thoracic Society website. Available at: http://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/mechanical-ventilation.pdf. Accessed December 10, 2020.
Mechanical ventilation. Anaesthesia & Intensive Care website. Available at: http://www.aic.cuhk.edu.hk/web8/mech%20vent%20intro.htm. Accessed December 10, 2020.
Mechanical ventilation. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/procedure/mechanical-ventilation. Accessed December 10, 2020.
Ventilator/ventilator support. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/vent. Accessed December 10, 2020.
Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Marcin Chwistek, MD Last Updated: 4/21/2021