Breathing tubes

Breathing tubes
Many of the patients in the intensive care unit will need support with their breathing. This may involve passing a plastic breathing tube into the windpipe. There are two types of breathing tubes

Endotracheal (ET) tube: This is a plastic tube placed through the patient’s mouth or sometimes through their nose into the windpipe (trachea). Most patients will need sedation to keep them comfortable while this breathing tube is in place.

Tracheostomy tube: This is a plastic tube placed into the patient’s windpipe through a small incision in the front of the patient’s neck. Tracheostomy is usually done when there is a need for breathing support for a longer period of time.  

Breathing tubes are placed by doctors or practitioners in the ICU and are always done using a general anaesthetic. Sometimes, a patient may need a surgical tracheostomy, which is done in the operating theatre.

Benefits of tracheostomy
Tracheostomy is more comfortable than a breathing tube passing through the mouth/nose, so patients need less or no sedation after a tracheostomy, which means that they are more awake.  This helps in the process of reducing the breathing support needed by the patient.

Most of the tracheostomies performed in the intensive care are carried out without complications, but like all procedures there are some risks which include bleeding, bruising and infection.