ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE

Typical Number in Hospital:

Cost Bands: 1

References: 2

During anaesthesia it is common to deliver the gases and vapours, and provide assisted ventilation via a tube in the trachea. If positive pressure ventilation is used then an airtight seal is required, and this is usually effected by an inflatable cuff near the end of the tube. The tubes may be rubber or plastic, have an internal diameter of 8-11 mm (for adults), include a valve mechanism to control inflation and deflation of the cuff, a balloon at the distal end of the inflation mechanism to indicate whether the endotracheal balloon is inflated, and a suitable shape to sit easily in the pharynx or nasopharynx without straining the connector or seal in the trachea.

Types exist for passage via the nose or mouth and particular designs exist to prevent kinking, end occlusion by the tracheal wall, and to suit particular procedures. Examples of common and special tubes are plain and cuffed Magill, Magill flexo-metallic paediatric, Cole neonatal, Riplex neonatal resuscitation, Enderby paediatric tube, Oxford non-kinking, and the Jackson Rees paediatric tube (which includes its own T-piece and suction facility).