Morphological findings after tracheotomy and laryngeal intubation (author's transl)]

4 fatal cases after tracheotomy and 35 cases after endotracheal anaesthesia were examined taking pathomorphological aspects into consideration. In long-period intubation mucous membrane necroses occurred as of the 4th day. After 6 days' intubation skeletizations of the tracheal rings were established in each case. Infections of the decubial ulcers and errosion haemorrhages from the necrotically altered tracheal wall were frequent complications. Faulty intubation of the oesophagus and the right bronchus, aspirations and reflex-related circulatory failure during intubation as well as hypoxic damage as a result of the windpipe opening being impaired are discussed from the morphological point of view.