EDITOREDITOR,Masters et al describe how a modified endotracheal tube can be used as a nasopharyngeal airway in infants with Pierre Robin syndrome.¹ We describe further modifications made to overcome some problems which we encountered in using the technique in one of our patients.

In the original description the protruding part of the airway is cut into four strands and the upper one cut off. We found the remaining strands rather thick, so cut them to half the width. We found that leucoplast tape was the only tape that held the strands in place with no additional benefit resulting from the use of Tinc Benz. The strands rubbed badly where they curved over the edge of the nostril. To overcome this a piece of suction catheter (8F) of just sufficient length to extend over the lateral and medial walls of the nostril is tied transversely across . . . [Full text of this article]