BACKGROUND Acoustic reflectometry can be used to create a "one-dimensional image" of a cavity, such as the airway and lung, with the image displayed as an area-length curve. This pilot study was undertaken to determine whether acoustic reflectometry could be used to distinguish between an endotracheal and an esophageal intubation. METHODS Ten adult patients underwent general endotracheal anes...

Concerns about the work of breathing imposed by the endotracheal tube have led clinicians to routinely use pressure support to overcome this resistive component. More recently, ventilator manufacturers have introduced systems to automatically overcome endotracheal tube resistance, regardless of tube diameter or patient demand for flow. Despite the theoretical advantages, neither method appears ...

During routine nasal intubation of a premature infant, the endotracheal tube penetrated the brain. Bloodstained cerebrospinal fluid and neural tissue was apparent. Initial cranial sonography was normal, but the infant later developed extensive intracranial haemorrhage. Rotation of an endotracheal tube to facilitate insertion angles the bevel at the tip upwards, increasing risk of brain penetrat...

Endotracheal intubation has several indications including maintenance of a patent airway, protection of the airway from aspiration of foreign materials, administration of oxygen and inhalant anaesthetics, and application of positive-pressure ventilation (Hartsfield 2007). Oesophageal intubation is a common complication of endotracheal intubation in humans and animals. However, swallowing an end...

OBJECTIVES (1) Present a unique case of partial necrosis of the dorsal tongue caused by an endotracheal tube; (2) highlight the importance of verifying proper endotracheal tube positioning during cases requiring prolonged intubation. METHODS Case report and literature review. RESULTS A 50 year-old man underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral lymphadenectomies for papillary thyroid carcin...

BACKGROUND In anterior cervical spine surgery a retractor is obligatory to approach the spine. Previous studies showed an increase of endotracheal tube cuff pressure after placement of a retractor. It is known that high endotracheal tube cuff pressure increases the incidence of postoperative dysphagia, hoarseness, and sore throat. However, until now no evidence supports the fact whether adjusti...