Endotracheal Tube Intubation and Airway Injury (2023 AMW) Session
2023 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Endotracheal tubes (ETTs) for mechanical ventilation are ubiquitous, with size typically selected to match the expected airway diameter and ventilation requirements of the patient. There is evidence to suggest that the use of larger ETT’s are associated with increased airway injury ranging from post operative sore throat (POST) to laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS). Unfortunately current clinical practice regarding ETT selection in adults are not universally standardized, but some physicians use sex, height and BMI as a factor. This has resulted in considerable variability used by different providers and institutions for intubations. In this session, we will present the impact of using inappropriately sized ETT’s in terms of potential complications and outcomes. We will also present on how to address these sequelae and most importantly implement system wide change on how to avoid the use of inappropriately sized ETT’s.OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: 1. Understand which size ETT to use and the impact of inappropriately sized ETT’s on the airwayOUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: 2. Manage the sequela of airway injury as the result of intubation with large ETT’sOUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: 3. Create system wide change to avoid the use of inappropriately sized ETT’sBACKGROUND STATEMENT: There is need for clinical practice guidelines regarding ETT selection in order to avoid the wide range of complications that can occur. This session will focus on the sequela and management of airway injury as well as how to implement system wide change.