The Analysis on Degree of Discomfort Caused by Delayed Extubation of Nasotracheal Tube - A Pilot Study

Background: It is well known that nasotracheal intubation is comfort for patient compared to oral intubation. We sometimes delay extubation when it is thought that the patient can not maintain airway, or there may be other emergency associated with airway. And we sometimes experience complaint of discomfort of nasotracheal tube. But, we could not find any report on degree of discomfort of delayed nasotracheal intubation. Methods: Eighteen patients in whom extubation of nasotraceal tube was delayed after operation because of difficulties of airway mamagement were selected. We surveyed the discomfort of nasotracheal tube with 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (VAS) and compared with the pain of operation site (VAS). Result: The VAS of nasotracheal intubation was , and VAS of the primary operation site was , and VAS of flap harvest site was . 10 of the patients complained of nasotracheal suction extremely and 6 patients complained of respiratory difficulties. Conclusions: Nasotracheal intubation was discomfort and there must be intervention