Endotracheal intubation is the placement of a flexible breathing tube through the mouth and past the vocal cords into the windpipe. It keeps the airway open and allows a ventilator to deliver air to the lungs. It is used when a patient cannot breathe adequately, cannot protect their airway due to low alertness, or needs general anaesthesia for surgery.

At Apex, intubation is done by trained doctors, with sedation and a medicine to relax the muscles so the tube can be placed smoothly. In emergency ICU care in Mumbai, the team prepares the equipment and monitoring beforehand and works calmly and quickly. The tube position is confirmed with a chest X-ray and by checking exhaled carbon dioxide, and the tube is secured carefully.

How the Procedure Can Help

Intubation protects the airway and allows full control of breathing, so oxygen reaches the lungs and the patient can rest while treatment takes effect.

Risks and Considerations

Possible risks include injury to the teeth, lips or throat, a short fall in oxygen during placement, stomach contents entering the lungs and, if the tube sits in the wrong place, poor breathing. A sore throat and a hoarse voice are common afterwards. The longer a tube stays in, the higher the chance of pneumonia or airway narrowing, so a tracheostomy may be considered when long-term support is needed.