indications
Last reviewed 01/2018
In the acute situation indications for endotracheal intubation include:
- inability to maintain an airway
- serious facial injury disrupting normal anatomy
- vomit or blood in the upper airway which has not been cleared by suction - decreases likelihood of aspiration
- high risk of airway obstruction, i.e. in burns patients, respiratory arrests
Less acute situations that are indications include:
- for general anaesthesia when the patient needs to be paralysed, e.g. for abdominal surgery
- inability to ventilate the unconscious patient
- operations around the head and oropharynx
- patient has been unconscious for some while and it is important to maintain proper oxygenation