Equipment for Tracheal Intubation and Securing the Airway



Equipment for Tracheal Intubation and Securing the Airway




Overview


Orotracheal intubation is performed to facilitate ventilation and deliver inhalant anesthetics and oxygen and occasionally other gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, helium). Proper placement of an endotracheal tube ensures the most efficient delivery of volatilized gases and oxygen and helps prevent aspiration of respiratory secretions, saliva, or regurgitated stomach contents. Oxygen and inhalant anesthetics can also be delivered via face mask or laryngeal mask airway (LMA). Most domestic species are relatively easy to orally intubate. Occasionally, alternative methods of gas delivery such as intubation via pharyngotomy or tracheotomy or using a facemask are employed.





Endotracheal Tubes (Fig. 11-1)



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FIG. 11-1 Silicone (flexible; top) and PVC (rigid; bottom) endotracheal tubes.


I General considerations



II Components (Fig. 11-2)


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FIG. 11-2 Components of a PVC endotracheal tube. Note the internal diameter and distance measurements.


A Sizes: endotracheal tubes are sized by ID (mm); outside diameter (OD, mm, or French [3 × OD]). OD is typically 3 to 4 mm larger than ID, depending on the overall tube size.


B Cuffed endotracheal tubes (Fig. 11-3)


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FIG. 11-3 Examples of endotracheal tubes with high pressure-low volume (top) and low pressure-high volume (bottom) cuffs. Either type of cuff is suitable for relatively short-term intubation. Note that the high pressure-low volume cuff (top) can produce eccentric pressure against the tracheal wall.


C Uncuffed endotracheal tubes



1. Specialized tubes with cuffless systems that replace the cuff (Fig. 11-4)


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FIG. 11-4 Silicone endotracheal tubes with flexible fins instead of a cuff. Note that a stylet is partially withdrawn from lumen of the tube. The stylet stiffens the tube and facilitates manipulation of the tube into the larynx during intubation. The stylet is withdrawn once the tube is inserted.

Related posts:

  1. Introduction to Anesthesia
  2. Local Anesthesia in Horses
  3. Anesthetic Procedures and Techniques in Dogs
  4. Temperature Regulation During Anesthesia: Anesthetic-Associated Hypothermia and Hyperthermia

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Sep 6, 2016 | Posted by in SUGERY, ORTHOPEDICS & ANESTHESIA | Comments Off on Equipment for Tracheal Intubation and Securing the Airway

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