A little backstory on Blind Nasal Intubation

A little backstory on Nasal ETT

TRIVIAL PURSUIT TIME

• Sir Ivan Whiteside Magill who pioneered “Awake Blind Nasotracheal Intubation” via the “Insufflation Method” also designed the “Magill Forceps” , still in common use today.

• Sir Magill lived to be 98 years old, finally dying in 1986. This was long enough to see nasal ETT using his methods spread through the EMS and Emergency Medicine World.

Sir Ivan Magill, courtesy of Gillies Archives, Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup UK

The original use of the Magill forceps

Circa 1928…

Circa 1950…

Even in 1950, Nasal ETT was reported at a respectable 85-87% success rate….

Circa 1986

• Sir Magill lived to be 98 years old, finally dying in 1986.

• This was long enough to see nasal ETT using his methods spread through the EMS and Emergency Medicine World

Circa 1989

• “…Blind nasotracheal intubation is a safe initial field airway approach in spontaneously breathing patients in whom there are no contraindications. Even with a low frequency of performance, success and complication rates are acceptable.”

Circa 1990’s

Where are we today?