Tracheal intubation , usually simply referred to as intubation , is the placement of a flexible plastic tube into the trachea (windpipe) to maintain an open airway or to serve as a conduit through which to administer certain
drugs.
*To begin the procedure,open the patient’s mouth by separating the lips and pulling on the upper jaw with the index finger.
*Holding a laryngoscope in the left hand, insert the curved blade into the mouth of the patient with the blade directed to the right tonsil.
*Once the right tonsil is reached, the laryngoscope is swept to the midline, keeping the tongue on the left to bring the epiglottis into view.
*The laryngoscope blade is then advanced until it reaches the angle between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis.
*Next, with the handle of the laryngoscope pointing away from you at 45°, the laryngoscope is lifted upwards towards the chest and away from the nose to bring the vocal cords into view.
*With the right hand, insert the endotracheal tube, made of flexible plastic, into the mouth directly between the cords to the point that the cuff rests just below the cords.
*The markings on the tube at the incisors will show between 21 and 24cm in the average sized adult when the tube is in position. Finally, remove the laryngoscope. The cuff is inflated to provide a minimal leak when the bag is squeezed.
*Using a stethoscope , the anesthesiologist listens for breathing sounds to ensure correct placement of the tube.