Incidence of laryngeal complications associated with prolonged endotracheal intubation

Introduction: Complications attributable to intubation increase morbidity and may increase the mortality rate. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate laryngeal lesions in patients after prolonged intubation (˃24 h), to correlate these lesions with the variables involved in the process of intubation and to determine the risk factors. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of patients who were intubated for more than 24 h in ENT operation theatre and critical care unit. Patients underwent for laryngoscopy on the day of extubation, weekly after extubating for two weeks then monthly upto 6 months. Results: 66 patients were intubated in this study, laryngeal abnormalities were seen in most patients of all groups, on the day of extubation and only patients who undergone for prolonged intubation had abnormal finding a month after extubation. Conclusion: At the end of one-month laryngeal findings were influenced only by the duration of intubation.