The endotracheal tube in situ as a foreign body: the master key to general anesthesia, its mechanism and inherent (though not peculiar) complications and to effective 'life support'.

Next to the discovery of general anesthesia, the most important advance was the development of endotracheal intubation by Irish Sir I.W. Magill with Dr. E.C. Rowbotham and other British colleagues in London. The endotracheal tube not alone enhanced the value, safety, and applicability of general anesthesia, it also demonstrates the mechanism of the phenomenon, and provides a monitor for the reactions and condition of the anesthetized patient. Copyright 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.