What emergency procedure involves the introduction of a breathing tube into the airway?

Endotracheal intubation is a critical emergency procedure that involves the insertion of a breathing tube into the trachea to secure the airway. This intervention is performed to ensure that the patient can receive adequate ventilation, particularly in emergencies where they are unable to breathe effectively on their own. The procedure is essential for patients who are unconscious, have compromised respiratory function, or are unable to maintain an open airway due to various medical conditions, trauma, or sedation.

By placing a tube directly into the airway, healthcare providers can deliver oxygen directly to the lungs and remove carbon dioxide from the body, thus stabilizing the patient's respiratory status. This technique might be used in settings such as advanced life support, surgical procedures, or any emergency situation where the airway is at risk of obstruction.

Other procedures listed, while related to airway management, serve different purposes. Cricothyrotomy involves making an incision through the skin to access the airway but is typically used when access through the mouth or nasal passages is not feasible. Bag-mask ventilation is a technique used to provide positive pressure ventilation, but it relies on a seal around the mask rather than a direct airway intervention. Tracheostomy is a more prolonged procedure that creates a permanent opening into the trachea, usually