Clinical Applications of the Balloon Dilation Technique during the Insertion of the Nasotracheal Tube

Kim, Yong Suk; Jung, Beong Jun; Park, Mi Sung; Jin, Young Ho

Abstract

Nasotracheal intubation is often the method of choice in oral or maxillofacial operations. During the insertion of endotracheal tube (ETT) through nostril, a considerable damage can be inflicted on the nasal mucosa by forcing ETT into the nasal cavity, and epistaxis may occur as a result of mucosal damage even when vasoconstrictors, a lubricated tube, and careful manipulation are employed. This study was conducted to observe whether balloon dilation technique(BDT) can help to minimize the expected problems during nasotracheal tube insertion and was to tried to get a data for further studies. In 30 patients in whom the nasotracheal tube was placed, smooth passage into the nasal cavity without using BDT occurred in 9 patients(30.0%). Of 21 patients(70.0%) who were come into the use of BDT when resistance to tube insertion due to anatomical structures of the nasal cavity was encountered, epistaxis was not developed. By the above results, The BDT appers to prevent epistaxis during nasotracheal tube insertion and to make an easy and smooth passage of the tube and then it suggest that the BDT should provide a basic data and an alternative to conventional techniques for a safe and atraumatic nasotracheal intubation.