Worse still, if proximally secured, the distal end may become dislodged from the larynx. If a cut endotracheal tube has been used to secure the airway in this situation and there is subsequent facial or airway swelling, the proximal end of the endotracheal tube may become positioned within the oropharynx making access to it difficult. This is because subsequent oedema of the face and larynx can compromise the airway 2 and render intubation difficult or impossible. Often these patients are intubated early if there is any indication of inhalational injury or facial burns. 1 We wish to point out a potentially life threatening hazard when they are used in the emergency department during the initial resuscitation of the thermally injured patient. The use of cut endotracheal tubes is already a contentious issue amongst anaesthetists.
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