| Haemorrhage | Tube obstruction (mucus plug or blood) | Haemorrhage (local tissue trauma/ erosion through major blood vessels) |
| Misplacement of tube | Partial or complete tube obstruction | |
| Tube occlusion | Infection | Tracheal stenosis/ tracheomalacia/ tracheocutaneous fistula |
| Loss of upper airway | Ulceration/necrosis of trachea, mucosal ulceration due to tube migration | |
| Surgical emphysema | | Scar formation |
| Pneumothorax | Risk of occlusion in patients who have difficulty extending their neck (obese or fatigued) | Tube obstruction or accidental decannulation |
| | Granulation tissue |