A study of post-intubation laryngeal dysfunction.

A canine model of intubation has been established to further investigate the laryngeal injury occurring from an indwelling endotracheal tube. Ulcerations are produced by the shaft of the tube as it rubs and presses against the contact points in the cricoarytenoid region. This injury results in a progressive soft tissue inflammatory response in the posterior larynx. The injury and the associated tissue response leads to a limited arytenoid excursion which manifests functionally as airway compromise and aspiration in the postextubation phases.