Endoscopic diagnosis of laryngeal injury following endotracheal intubation

Abstract

Laryngeal injury following endotracheal intubation occurs in many patients and intensive care physicians may remain unaware of the incidence of complications. This study evaluated the incidence of laryngeal injury in a group of patients who had intubation for > 4 days in an intensive care unit. In 14 patients, laryngeal injuries were evaluated by flexible and/or rigid endoscopes as soon as the patients were extubated or decannulated. In 64% of the patients, pathological signs, including ulceration, oedema, granulation and fibrosis, were determined by endoscopic examination. Postintubation injuries were very common. Endoscopic examination may be one of the best ways to diagnose these lesions because it allows early diagnosis and can be performed at the patients' bedside.