Advantages and disadvantages of nasotracheal intubation

The endotracheal tube is a medical device inserted into the trachea and bronchus of the patient. It creates a temporary artificial breathing channel for the patient, especially for those who cannot breathe independently. Nasotracheal intubation is a commonly used intubation technique, which mainly involves slowly inserting the tube through the nose into the airway of the person to promote ventilation. It is mainly used for patients with trauma, major surgery, and weak physical conditions.

1.Indications
Patients with spontaneous breathing who need endotracheal intubation
●Infants and children undergo mechanical ventilation;
●Adults undergo mechanical ventilation for more than 3 days;
●Those who have difficulty opening their mouths require mechanical ventilation;

2. Advantages
●Fast, easy, high success rate, especially easier under the guidance of bronchoscopy. And it does not require strict patient position, so patients are easy to accept.
●Easy to manage, patients can be more comfortable and can eat.
●Fewer complications.
●It does not change the original airway structure and is easy to remove the tube.
●Easy to care for the oral cavity, and the placement time can be longer, even 1-2 months.

3. Disadvantages
●Concurrent sinusitis.
●Nasal mucosal necrosis.
●Posterior pharyngeal wall damage or perforation.
●The tube diameter is relatively small, which may increase airway resistance.
●One more step is nasal anesthesia convergence, and only a very small number of bronchoscopes are used.
●Blind insertion and bronchoscope insertion will take a long time.
●Increased intracranial pressure.