Endotracheal intubation is an emergent medical procedure applied to stabilize the airway in patients with mechanical ventilation, anesthesia, or urgent respiratory therapy. Of all the types of endotracheal tubes (ETTs), the uncuffed endotracheal tube is essential, especially in pediatric and neonatal units. This paper discusses the structure, advantages, applications, and factors of the endotracheal tube uncuffed to educate healthcare workers about its significance in airway management.
What is an Uncuffed Endotracheal Tube?
An uncuffed endotracheal tube is an open, plastic tube placed inside the trachea to create a patent airway. As opposed to cuffed tubes, it does not contain an inflatable balloon at its distal tip to close the airway. Rather, it depends on natural airway anatomies to develop a functional seal. These are usually applied to pediatric patients aged less than 8 years as their tracheal anatomy allows for a comfortable seal naturally.
