HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Throat Injury From A Ventilator

default
Posted on Tue, 7 Apr 2015
Question: A patient couldn't speak or eat due to a injury to her throat from a ventilator. She was given irrigation water to swish her mouth, which at times some was swallowed. She used the irrigation water all day long for 2 1/2 months. What damage could occur.

She was a heart transplant patient. Her tissue swelled huge and then oozed the . liquid from her body. She didn't survive. Could the irrigation water intake cause this reaction when used long-term?

The heart transplant patient's age was 47 I am 74. sorry
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Looks like MODS

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to hcm.
I am sorry to know that the patient did not survive.
It is a routine practice to clean the mouth with liquid oral preparations in sick patients who are on ventilator support.
Similarly respiratory secretions are removed by a thin suction catheter many times a day.
We keep patients on ventilation for weeks but they hardly loss voice by such practices.
Your patient seems to be pretty sick because whole body swelling with oozing of liquid from tissues is a very sinister finding and is seen in chronically I'll patients.
It indicates very low albumin levels in blood and is frequently seen in MODS patients which is a very deadly constellation of illness.
These patients are too weak to produce voice, may be that had been an issue with your patient towards the later course of illness.
I hope the advice will be helpful for you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ram Choudhary (13 hours later)
Dr. Choudhary: The patient had the ventilator removed after three weeks. She was alert and oriented, was OOB and gained vocal ability. The irrgation water was used as a substiute for water for 2 1/2 months. She couldn't pass the test to swallow clear liquids. All day long due to being thirsty she swished the irrigation water, would suction most of it out, but quenched from thrist some was injested .
Please reconsider this information.
Thank You
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
attending physician will be betterf judge

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back.
An alert patient who don't have any tubes in trachea should be able to speak...
If not then problems with larynx ma be local damage, nerve injury, or secondary problem due to sick status.
If patient can not swallow then out side wetting is necessary with suction.
The physician who attended her at that time may be more informative.
Such patients need tracheostomy frequently.
I hope the advice will be helpful for you.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ram Choudhary

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 2270 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Throat Injury From A Ventilator

Brief Answer: Looks like MODS Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for writing in to hcm. I am sorry to know that the patient did not survive. It is a routine practice to clean the mouth with liquid oral preparations in sick patients who are on ventilator support. Similarly respiratory secretions are removed by a thin suction catheter many times a day. We keep patients on ventilation for weeks but they hardly loss voice by such practices. Your patient seems to be pretty sick because whole body swelling with oozing of liquid from tissues is a very sinister finding and is seen in chronically I'll patients. It indicates very low albumin levels in blood and is frequently seen in MODS patients which is a very deadly constellation of illness. These patients are too weak to produce voice, may be that had been an issue with your patient towards the later course of illness. I hope the advice will be helpful for you.