Endotracheal tube whistle: An adjunct to blind nasotracheal intubation

Abstract

To perform blind nasotracheal intubation, the physician feels or listens for air movement through the endotracheal tube to facilitate the tube's passage into the trachea. The tube whistle is a device that attaches to the endotracheal tube adapter and produces whistle sounds of different pitches during inspiration and expiration, enhancing the detection of air movement and possibly allowing for easier intubation. This article describes the use of the whistle and presents information collected from a nine-month prospective study of the endotracheal tube whistle. © 1992 American College of Emergency Physicians.