An endotracheal tube (20) for mechanically ventilating patients is disclosed.The endotracheal tube comprises a distal end (20a) for insertion into the patientsairway (2), past the vocal chords (3), through the subglottal region (4), andinto the patients lung (5) and a proximal end (20b) for connection to amechanical ventilator (6). The endotracheal tube further comprises a cuff (22)at the distal end of the endotracheal? tube to be located in the subglottal regionof the patient below the vocal chords, an inflating lumen (23) for inflating thecuff, and a suction lumen (24) having a suction inlet port (24a) leading from theouter surface of the endotracheal tube, and to be located in the subglottal region,for evacuating secretions and/or rinsing fluid from the subglottal region duringthe mechanical ventilation of the patient. The distal end of the endotrachealtube is formed with an outer surface configuration (25) effective to preventblockage of the suction inlet port by the cuff or by tracheal mucosal tissue ofthe patient during a negative pressure condition in the suction lumen.
