suctioning

Suctioning is a medical procedure that uses negative pressure to remove secretions, blood, or debris from the airways or other body cavities. It is performed with a suction device and a catheter and is used in a variety of clinical settings, including emergency medicine, critical care, anesthesia, dentistry, and ENT.

In respiratory care, suctioning helps clear airway secretions to maintain airway patency and facilitate ventilation. It may be used for patients who are unable to clear secretions independently due to altered consciousness, neuromuscular disorders, tracheostomies, or endotracheal tubes. Suctioning can support pulmonary hygiene in conditions such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis, COPD exacerbations, and after surgery.

Types and equipment vary by setting and indication. Noninvasive suctioning includes oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal suction to remove secretions from the mouth and upper throat. Invasive suctioning is performed through an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube using a suction catheter connected to a suction source, often with a collection canister and tubing. A closed suction system may be used for patients on mechanical ventilation to reduce infection risk and aerosolization. Typical practice uses low to moderate negative pressure, adjusted for patient size and tissue tolerance, with short passes to minimize hypoxia.

Procedure overview. Prepare equipment, explain to the patient if possible, preoxygenate as needed, and select an appropriate catheter size. For noninvasive suctioning, limit suctioning to brief passes while withdrawing the catheter. For invasive suctioning, use sterile technique, monitor oxygenation, and limit each suction pass to about 10 seconds. Reassess airway clearance and comfort after each pass.

Risks and safety considerations include hypoxemia, airway mucosal injury or bleeding, bronchospasm, vagal responses, coughing, and infection. Proper technique, appropriate pressure settings, and infection control measures help reduce these risks.