Ventilator Breathing Complications After Surgery
During most surgeries, the patient is made unconscious and paralyzed to protect him from pain and damage from involuntary movement. As a result of this paralysis, machines called ventilators must take over the work of breathing for the patient. A tube called an endotracheal tube is typically inserted into the airway to provide oxygen, remove carbon dioxide and protect the lungs from gastrointestinal fluids. Some relatively common complications of this procedure--called intubation--include barotrauma, nosocomial pneumonia and tracheal stenosis.
Barotrauma
The term barotrauma refers to damage to the lungs and airways as a result of excessive pressure generated by mechanical ventilation. It can result in pockets of air developing in the skin--also known as subcutaneous emphysema--or chest cavity. Subcutaneous emphysema is typically benign and will resolve on its own. However, air in the chest cavity can interfere with lung function and may require the placement of a chest tube to drain the excess air. According to Barry Brenner et al in the August 2009 issue of "The Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society," the risk of barotrauma is increased in patients with underlying airway conditions such as asthma 3.
- The term barotrauma refers to damage to the lungs and airways as a result of excessive pressure generated by mechanical ventilation.
- However, air in the chest cavity can interfere with lung function and may require the placement of a chest tube to drain the excess air.
Nosocomial Pneumonia
Complications After a Biopsy of the Lungs
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Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, and the term nosocomial refers to a condition that originates in a hospital. The act of being intubated and placed on a ventilator is invasive and may introduce bacteria into the airways. In addition, the 17th edition of "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" states that remaining on a ventilator for more than 72 hours results in a high risk for pneumonia due to leakage of contaminated secretions around the endotracheal tube and into the lungs. Every effort should be made to minimize time spent on a ventilator and to target antibiotic therapy aggressively at the first sign of pulmonary infection.
- Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, and the term nosocomial refers to a condition that originates in a hospital.
- In addition, the 17th edition of "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" states that remaining on a ventilator for more than 72 hours results in a high risk for pneumonia due to leakage of contaminated secretions around the endotracheal tube and into the lungs.
Tracheal Stenosis
Tracheal stenosis refers to narrowing of the airway that may become severe enough to interfere with breathing. Typically, stenosis develops at the site of the endotracheal tube cuff. This cuff is inflated during intubation to protect the airway from aspiration, or the passage of saliva or gastrointestinal contents into the lungs. It may press hard enough against the inside of the trachea to cause damage to the tissue. This tissue swells and scars as it heals, causing narrowing of the airway. The second edition of "Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Otolaryngology" reports that this complication occurs in 8 to 13 percent of ventilated patients 2.
- Tracheal stenosis refers to narrowing of the airway that may become severe enough to interfere with breathing.
- It may press hard enough against the inside of the trachea to cause damage to the tissue.
Related Articles
References
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," 17th Edition; Anthony S. Fauci, Eugene Braunwald, Dennis L. Kasper, Stephen L. Hauser, Dan L. Longo, J. Larry Jameson, and Joseph Loscalzo, Eds.; 2008
- "Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery," Second Edition; Anil K. Lalwani; 2008
- "Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society"; Intubation and Mechanical Ventilation of the Asthmatic Patient in Respiratory Failure; Barry Brenner, Thomas Corbridge and Antoine Kazzi; 2009
- Chaudhry R. Botulism: a diagnostic challenge. Indian J Med Res. 2011;134(1):10–12.
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- Engels PT, Bagshaw SM, Meier M, Brindley PG. Tracheostomy: From insertion to decannulation. Can J Surg. 2009;52(5):427–433.
- National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus. Endotracheal intubation. Updated January 1, 2019.
- Ono Y, Kakamu T, Kikuchi H, Mori Y, Watanabe Y, Shinohara K. Expert-performed endotracheal intubation-related complications in trauma patients: Incidence, possible risk factors, and outcomes in the prehospital setting and emergency department. Emerg Med Int. 2018 Jun 10;2018:5649476. doi:10.1155/2018/5649476
Writer Bio
Ryan Doss began writing professionally in 2009 and has been published on LIVESTRONG.COM and eHow. He is a resident physician in emergency medicine. Doss has an M.D. from Ross University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts in history and philosophy of science from the University of Washington.