The syringe aspiration technique to verify endotracheal tube position.

This prospective, clinical study was performed to determine the utility of the syringe aspiration technique (SAT) to verify endotracheal tube (ETT) position. Ninety consecutive patients requiring urgent intubation in the emergency department or prehospital setting were enrolled in the study. The SAT correctly identified intratracheal ETT placement in 88 patients and esophageal misplacement in 2 patients. Ultimately, standard detection techniques were used to confirm ETT placement. The SAT was an accurate means of verifying ETT placement.