Continuous Suction during nasotracheal intubation in tonsillectomy - a comparative study

Brig (Dr) Arvind Kumar Singh; Surg Capt (Dr) Sachin Narayan Kulkarni; Surg Capt (Dr) Rahul Yadav; Brig (Dr) Sanil Mohan

Volume : IX, Issue : XII, December - 2019

Continuous Suction during nasotracheal intubation in tonsillectomy - a comparative study

Brig Dr Arvind Kumar Singh, Surg Capt Dr Sachin Narayan Kulkarni, Surg Capt Dr Rahul Yadav, Brig Dr Sanil Mohan

Abstract :

We studied 100 patients presenting for tonsillectomy and in whom nasotracheal intubation (NTI) was planned/preferred. These patients were divided into two groups. Group N (50) where no suction was used during NTI and surgery and Group S (50) where continuous suction was used during NTI and during surgery. A comparison was made between the groups regarding incidence of bleeding and requirement of suction during NTI and surgery. Bleeding during NTI or blood in the airway can make even easy intubations difficult by obscuring the view of the larynx and also increase the probability for aspiration of blood. Continuous suction during NTI and surgery not only made airway clear during laryngoscopy and NTI but also improved the surgical field.