What Is Prolonged Intubation?

The risk of damage to the upper airways by nasotracheal intubation is influenced not only by its duration, but also by a number of other factors. Among 29 patients treated by nasotracheal intubation, as a rule for 2–3 days, none showed laryngo-tracheal damage after extubation. Among 20 patients intubated for a longer period (5–56 days) numerous cases of damage to the respiratory tract were found. Prolonged intubation should be taken to mean intubation lasting longer than 6–7 days. With prolonged intubation the risk of severe damage to the larynx and trachea is so great that the possibility of replacing it by tracheostomy should be seriously contemplated.