Complications of endotracheal intubation in mechanically ventilated patients in a general intensive care unit.

During a period of one year, 126 patients were prospectively audited to analyse complications of endotracheal intubation in a general intensive care unit setting. A total of 62 complications were observed in 48 patients. The most frequent complications during intubation were hypotension and bradycardia. The blockage of endotracheal tubes significantly increased with the duration of intubation. Sore throat was the commonest (22%) complication following extubation. Other complications like stridor and ulceration of mouth and lips which followed extubation were not related to the duration of intubation.