Trick of the trade: Endotracheal tube lubrication

Does your endotracheal tube get caught up on a swollen or floppy epiglottis during insertion? Trick of the Trade: Endotracheal tube lubrication Occasionally the endotracheal tube may become “caught up” along the epiglottis. Because it is difficult to predict when this may happen, pre-lubricate the endotracheal tube cuff and tip with a thin layer of [+]

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Does your endotracheal tube get caught up on a swollen or floppy epiglottis during insertion?

Trick of the Trade: Endotracheal tube lubrication

Occasionally the endotracheal tube may become “caught up” along the epiglottis. Because it is difficult to predict when this may happen, pre-lubricate the endotracheal tube cuff and tip with a thin layer of water-soluble lubricant, such as K-Y jelly. This lubricant can also minimize the degree of surface trauma to the trachea and tracheal rings as the tube passes the vocal cords.

Author information

Michelle Lin, MD

ALiEM Founder and CEO
Professor and Digital Innovation Lab Director
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of California, San Francisco

The post Trick of the trade: Endotracheal tube lubrication appeared first on ALiEM.

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