Final answer:
Intubation is a medical procedure where a tube is inserted into a patient's trachea to maintain an open airway, usually during surgery or an emergency when natural breathing is compromised. The process involves inserting a flexible tube through the mouth or nose, then into the trachea, enabling artificial ventilation. Removal of the tube occurs once the patient can breathe independently, often resulting in a temporarily sore throat.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is the Procedure for the Placement of the Breathing Tube?
The procedure for the placement of a breathing tube is known as intubation. This medical process is essential when a patient's respiratory system is blocked or injured, and air cannot adequately reach the lungs. During intubation, a long, flexible plastic tube is navigated through the patient's mouth or nose, past the pharynx and larynx, into the trachea. This endotracheal tube ensures the airway remains open, allowing for artificial ventilation with a squeezable bag attached to the top of the tube or connection to a ventilator.
Under general anesthesia, the muscles required for breathing and moving the tongue may relax excessively and could obstruct the airway. Endotracheal intubation is the safest method to maintain an open airway and support respiration during surgery. When respiration muscles regain their function post-surgery, the tube is removed, which can take about 30 minutes for a patient to wake up fully and recover control of their respiration.
It is common for patients to experience a sore or scratchy throat after the removal of the tube. Intubation being a crucial part of emergency and surgical procedures helps bypass obstructions in the respiratory tract, deliver oxygen, and administer medications when necessary.