Risks Associated With Endotracheal Intubation

Lung Injury

The physician who performs the patient's endotracheal intubation is responsible for choosing the correctly sized equipment to minimize injury to all of the patient's body structures that are involved. They are also responsible for making sure the tubes do not become kinked while in the patient's airways and the tube makes it to the correct place in the airway. Sometimes the tube can be misplaced in the right mainstem bronchus, which causes the left lung to collapse due to the lack of enough air in the tissues to maintain its structure. Another lung complication associated with endotracheal intubation is referred to as barotrauma, which occurs when endotracheal intubation is combined with mechanical ventilation. Sometimes the air sacs in the patient's lungs can rupture from a rapid pressure change, and the air from the ventilator can enter the patient's pleural space. This condition is called pneumothorax, which injures the lung further and causes other severe complications.

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