Application of low damage endotracheal intubation in patients undergoing extra long-term endotracheal intubation: a case report

Abstract

To approach the effect of low damage endotracheal intubation on reducing the occurrence of cuff-related intubation complication and prolonging the intubation time. On January 7th, 2015, 1 patient with respiratory failure after subarachnoid hemorrhage were admitted to Huludao Central Hospital. Immediate endotracheal intubation and ventilator assisted ventilation were performed. When the trachea was difficult to be removed in a short time, and tracheotomy was refused, a low damage endotracheal intubation was used for a long term. On the basis of the original high volume low pressure cuff, this tube was designed for inner cuff, the hole was allowed in the inner cuff to connect with the tube. During the period of ventilation, the cuff pressure changed with airway pressure automatically, therefore it would reduce the compression injury of tracheal mucosa, improve the tolerance of the patients, and prolong the intubation time. The patient was removed from the tube on October 12th, 2015 with an intubation day of 279, the intubation-related complications and severe aspiration pneumonia had not been observed during the application of low damage endotracheal intubation. Design of this intubation ensured the cuff pressure changes with airway pressure, therefore, it could effectively avoid the cuff pressure become too high, and reduce the occurrence of intubation-related complication. This low damage endotracheal had an evident superiority in the aspects of cuff management. It has a better practical significance, especially for patients with long intubation time.