Question:
How does the tube work to help you breath during surgery?

For some reason, I am concerned about how I will breathe (comfortably) during the surgery. When I lay back on a firm or new surface...operating table...I do not breathe as easy as in bed or in a recliner. So now we add to the situation a tube down my throat...Is it like a CPAP where it is constant pressure, and I take advantage of it as I breathe in? Or does it force air in and then exhale for me? I just wonder how it works, and especially if there was a conflict. Probably it all happens while I am "under" and nothing will make any difference to me anyway...just something to worry about. Thanks for your comments, Lynn    — Lynn P. (posted on May 2, 2003)

May 2, 2003
In my case the anesthesiologist and her assistant came in preop and looked at my mouth, teeth and throat and did some simple measuIrements for the ET (endotracheal) tube. I was given medications so that I was conscious but have no memory of anything that happened after they wheeled me to the OR. I don't remember them putting in the tube or anything else. The machine pushes the air and other anesthetic gasses in and you exhale. they can regulate the rate and depth of your breathing to keep your oxygen level up. Your muscles (especially the respiratory muscles) are essentially paralyzed so you don't "fight' the ventilator during surgery. When surgery is nearly done, they start to let the meds wear off so that you are breathing on your own again, and when that happens, they remove the tube. All you have to do is remember to cough and take deep breaths and use the little incentive spirometer they give you to exercise your lungs after surgery. Sometimes the meds and gasses can cause the little air sacs deep in your lungs to collapse with sticky mucous in them. You need to expand your lungs as much as you can and get that sticky mucous out so you don't get pneumonia or a collapsed lung (atelectasis).Try not to worry about this part.
   — koogy

May 2, 2003
Lynn, they gave me something in my IV to knock me out after the anesthesiologist asked me if I was ready for a nap. When I awoke the tube was already gone, so if it wasn't for the fact that I know I had it, I would never have known. <p>You will be on a machine that will totally handle your breathing so there is nothing to worry about. You will do fine.
   — zoedogcbr

May 2, 2003
Lynn; let me give you my prespective as a paramedic. The tube placed in your trachea (lungs) is called an Endotracheal Tube (ET Tube). We in EMS general chose a tube about the size of your little finger as it is approximately the size of your trachea, but the anaesthesiologist will choose one of appropriate size. When they get ready to place the tube, you will be administered medications to first relax you, then paralize all your muscles (except your heart). In EMS, we do this quite fast with a procedure called RSI (Rapid Sequence Intubation); the anaesthesiologist will much more gentler than we in the field, plus will have different variety of drugs to use. Once the ET tube is placed you will be placed on a ventilator machine. The anaesthesiologist will be able to predetermine settings like tidal volume, minute rate, and other technical settings, and then fine tune them before you are ever cut. The ventilator will force the oxygen into your lungs and lets your body naturally exhale. Due to the drugs, there is no"conflict" with your body. When you come out from under the drugs, they will monitor your respiratory effort and rate before removing the ET tube. Some people have difficulty being "weaned" off ET tube, especially people with history of respiratory diseases. Hope that helps.
   — emtp435

May 5, 2003
Thanks! everyone for your great answers - they do make me feel better about this part of the experience. Tomorrow I try to endure an echo-stress test using a chemical to rev up my heart - sort of like scheduling a heart attack. Well I'm sure it will work out...and then on to the 20th for the really big show...Thanks again, Lynn
   — Lynn P.