Traumatic nasogastric or endotracheal intubation

Definition

Traumatic nasogastric or endotracheal intubation involves putting a tube through the nose into the trachea (airway) or into the stomach.

This may be done to maintain breathing or prevent aspiration (inhaling) of food into the airway. It may also be done to relieve excess air from the stomach, or to deliver nutrients or drugs into the stomach.

The term traumatic refers to tissue irritation or damage that occurs because of the procedure.