A 49-year-old man suffering from depression attempts suicide by jumping out of the window of his third-floor apartment. He requires multiple operations during a prolonged, complicated hospital stay. Endotracheal intubation is attempted in the ICU but is unsuccessful because of tracheal stenosis, which is attributed to which of the following?: (A) Prolonged nasotracheal intubation, (B) Orotracheal intubation, (C) Tracheostomy tubes, (D) High oxygen delivery
Answer is A. Any object that compromises the blood supply to the tracheal mucosa or cartilage can cause stenosis. When the mean intramural pressure exceeds 20-30 mm Hg over a prolonged period, damage occurs.