• H K King.
• Department of Anesthesiology, King/Drew Medical Center, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA.
• Acta Anaesthesiol. Sin. 1997 Dec 1; 35 (4): 257-9.

AbstractEndotracheal intubation is the most commonly employed technique in airway management. Having an endotracheal tube (ETT) in place, however, does not guarantee a patent airway. Tube obstruction due to kinking, blood clots/secretion, dislodgment, or patient's biting can occur. These complications are life-threatening or even fatal. Employing a Guedel oral airway (OA) to act as a bite-block is a current common practice. However, with an OA in place does not necessarily prevent patient biting on the ETT. The author therefore proposed that this practice should have room for improvement and has made effort to design a new device for the purpose. The new dual function endotracheal tube holder with integrated bite-block as described can firmly secure the ETT in place and effectively prevent patient's biting on the tube. Therefore, it helps prevent the most serious complication of endotracheal intubation and subsequently improves patient safety.

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