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What is a Cannula?

E. Fogarty
E. Fogarty

A cannula is a flexible tube that can be inserted into the body. For medical use, there are 11 different types of cannulae. The most commonly used are the intravenous and the nasal cannulae.

An intravenous cannula is used to give medical personnel access to a patient’s vein for the withdrawal of fluid or insertion of medicine or other fluids. It is commonly called an IV. Typically, the intravenous cannula is topped with a trocar, or needle, which is used to create an opening in the body through which the tube is threaded.

An intravenous cannula and tubing.
An intravenous cannula and tubing.

To insert an IV, a medical professional will first place a tourniquet around her patient’s arm to hold blood in the arm. Once the veins in the hands and arm are full, she will clean the area around the injection site and insert the trocar into a full vein. The cannula will be pushed over the needle and into the vein before the needle is removed and the tube secured to the skin with medical tape.

A tourniquet will be placed around a patient's arm by a medical professional before inserting an intravenous cannula.
A tourniquet will be placed around a patient's arm by a medical professional before inserting an intravenous cannula.

There are four main complications that may arrive from the insertion of an IV. A hematoma is bruising that occurs as a result of a bad tube placement. Infiltration is what happens when the tube is inserted under the skin, but not into a vein. An embolism occurs when air travels down the tube into the vein, or if a piece of the cannula breaks off and travels down the blood stream. Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein holding the tube.

An intravenous cannula allows medical professionals to access a patient's vein for the insertion of medicine or other fluids.
An intravenous cannula allows medical professionals to access a patient's vein for the insertion of medicine or other fluids.

A nasal cannula is used to deliver low levels of oxygen to a patient who needs supplemental oxygen. It is fitted with a horseshoe-shaped tip on one end that is inserted into a patient’s nose, and a flexible band that is secured around a patient’s head to hold the cannula in place. The other end of the tube is attached to a tank or other type of oxygen delivery system. Before a patient is given a nasal cannula, his vital signs will be checked. He will be monitored while receiving oxygen to make sure that he is comfortable and that the oxygen levels in his body are increasing.

A cannula is typically secured to the body using medical tape.
A cannula is typically secured to the body using medical tape.

There are few complications and side effects associated with wearing a nasal cannula. Patients may experience some dryness in the nose as a result of the oxygen flow. Nasal cannulae are not just for patients. They are also used by aviators who need supplemental oxygen when flying in high altitudes.

Discussion Comments

anon942711

I have had many cannula fitted during chemo treatment and now have pains in my right wrist. Is this normal?

ElizaBennett

@dfoster85 - I had oxygen from a nasal cannula after my C-section, too. I had placenta previa and it was supposed to be a scheduled C-section, but I didn't make it to my scheduled appointment and went into labor right at bedtime--and of course it was after a hard day.

I hated that nasal cannula, too. I was so glad when the night nurse took it out for me! But I had some saline drops in my purse, so I didn't have to wait.

dfoster85

I had two of these then when I was in the hospital for my C-section, an IV cannula and a nasal one. The IV one was just annoying, having to be tethered to a pole, but the nasal one really dried out my nose something awful. Then I had to wait for a prescription for saline drops, which took hours for some reason.

I only had to have the nasal one, I think, because I had been in labor so long and I was so tired.

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    • An intravenous cannula and tubing.
      By: Aleksandrs Jermakovi
      An intravenous cannula and tubing.
    • A tourniquet will be placed around a patient's arm by a medical professional before inserting an intravenous cannula.
      By: withGod
      A tourniquet will be placed around a patient's arm by a medical professional before inserting an intravenous cannula.
    • An intravenous cannula allows medical professionals to access a patient's vein for the insertion of medicine or other fluids.
      By: ShpilbergStudios
      An intravenous cannula allows medical professionals to access a patient's vein for the insertion of medicine or other fluids.
    • A cannula is typically secured to the body using medical tape.
      By: Shariff Che'Lah
      A cannula is typically secured to the body using medical tape.
    • A nasal cannula is used to deliver low levels of oxygen to a patient who needs supplemental oxygen.
      By: sudok1
      A nasal cannula is used to deliver low levels of oxygen to a patient who needs supplemental oxygen.
    • Nasal cannulas are designed to fit into the nose and be secured around the head.
      By: Leah-Anne Thompson
      Nasal cannulas are designed to fit into the nose and be secured around the head.
    • A cannula may be inserted into the veins in the hand.
      By: Voyagerix
      A cannula may be inserted into the veins in the hand.
    • A person on supplemental oxygen needs to have their blood saturation level carefully monitored with a pulse oximeter.
      By: Africa Studio
      A person on supplemental oxygen needs to have their blood saturation level carefully monitored with a pulse oximeter.
    • Cannulas may be used as biopsy needles.
      By: A_Bruno
      Cannulas may be used as biopsy needles.