Study of Laryngeal Trauma Due to Endotracheal Intubation in Autopsied Cases

Abstract

In order to study the pathological findings of the larynx due to the endotracheal intubation, the frontal sections of the larynx from thirty-two autopsied cases, 23 of intubated and 9 of non-intubated cases, were examined microscopically with HE staining.The exfoliation (ulcer) or the separation of the epithelium and the samall round cell infiltration in the subepithelial layer were found in both intubated and non-intubated cases. The edema and the capillary dilatation in the submucosal layer were noted more in the intubated group than the non-intubated one. The submucosal hemorrhage was found in seven out of 23 intubated cases. The neutrophile leucocyte infiltration under the epithelium of the larynx was observed in six tutubated cases who had been intubated over ten hours. It is possible that the intubation over ten hours may induce laryngeal complications.