Children is the PICU can be intubated to help them breathe whilst they recover from their surgery or illness.
In order to place a breathing tube (also called an Endotracheal Tube or ETT), an anaesthetist in theatre or a doctor in PICU will give your child a general anaesthetic. This means that they will be deeply asleep and comfortable. The doctor will then insert the breathing tube through your child’s nose or mouth down into their throat and through the vocal cords into the trachea (your child’s breathing pipe). The breathing tube is then connect to a ventilator that helps your child breathe.
Depending on your child’s condition, the ventilator may do all of the breathing. This is very normal and helps your child to recover. Sometimes, a child may be doing all of their own breathing and the ventilator is helping the child with that. Both options are very common and normal in PICU. Please speak to the PICU staff caring for your child for more information.
The nurse caring for the child may disconnect them from the ventilator and ‘bag’ the child with a green balloon shaped bag. The green balloon is full of oxygen. The nurse will do this to promote a cough prior to a suction. Regular suctioning is normal to remove any mucous from the airway and lungs.
When the child is ready for the breathing tube to be removed, this is called extubation. PICU staff will create a plan and discuss this with you prior to the breathing tube being removed.
What to expect
- The ventilator may do all of the breathing for the child
- The child may do all of their own breathing and the ventilator helps them take bigger breaths
- PICU staff may disconnect the child from the ventilator
- Please speak to staff if you have any questions about the breathing tube or ventilator
