Benefits of the interchangeable oral-nasal endotracheal tube include:
- After initial orotracheal intubation continued intubation and ventilation allows for all subsequent steps to be performed in a safe, controlled manner.
- Interchangeable oral/nasal endotracheal tube negates the need for extubation and reintubation
- The risk of bleeding and secretions from manipulation of an endotracheal tube through the nasopharynx making intubation difficult is removed.
- Atraumatic nasal intubation with soft, flexible and blunt introducer attached to flexible reinforced airway tubing has been shown to reduce the risks associated with nasal intubation.
- Flexible reinforced airway tubing allows intubation through the safer lower nasal pathway.
- A safe method of nasotracheal intubation for those practitioners not skilled in the art of standard nasotracheal intubation.
- No need for airway exchange catheters.
- All Genesis airway endotracheal tubes have posterior facing bevels shown to be safer when passed through the nasopharynx and to provide a greater initial success rate of intubation when railroaded over a bougie or fibreoptic scope.
- All Genesis airway endotracheal tubes have high volume low pressure cuffs to seal the airway without trauma.The reinforced endotracheal tubes are manufactured with soft, smooth PVC with a non stick finish allowing easy railroading over a bougie or scope.
- All Genesis airway endotracheal tubes have a curved atraumatic bevelled tip preventing hang up on laryngeal structures when used with a bougie or fibre optic scope.
Studies that support the use of the interchangeable oral-nasal endotracheal tube include: 20, 37, 39, 40, 43, 44