Highlight
– Prolonged endotracheal intubation causes progressive histopathological damage to the tracheal mucosa and cartilage.
– Increased duration correlates with higher incidence of ulceration, inflammation, granulation, microabscesses, and perichondritis.
– Significant tracheal tissue remodeling and degeneration occur with intubation beyond 14 days.
– Early tracheotomy within 14 days is suggested to reduce tracheal injury and related complications.
