Why are patients' mouths taped shut during surgery? Is this a common practice in all hospitals or only some? What is the purpose of this practice?
Last Updated: 21.06.2025 10:29
Patient’s mouths are NOT taped shut during surgery. When a patient is intubated for general anesthesia, the EndoTracheal tube is taped to keep it in place. The Anesthesia Care provider often needs access to the mouth after intubation or at other times during the procedure…inserting a TEE probe for valve surgery, a naso-gastric tube, etc.
Sometimes during particularly long procedures, the Anesthesia Care provider will apply eye ointment to the eyes, & lightly tape the eyelids to prevent the corneas from dehydrating.