Awake blind nasal intubation.

Awake blind nasal endotracheal intubation is a modification of Sir Ivan Magill's technique of blind nasal intubation under ether anaesthesia.1 The introduction of neuromuscular blocking agents, facilitating oral intubation under direct vision, led to a decline in popularity of Magill's method and it is now used sparingly, if at all.2 Where the sedated patient remains awake and co-operative, the technique still deserves greater attention.3 The indications vary from the elective to the mandatory and include: Deformities of the mouth or temporomandibular joints (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis 4), Ludwigs angina or any potential cause of upper airway obstruction. Gastrointestinal obstruction or bleeding. Unfasted patients or cases in which rapid intubation techniques may be hazardous (perforating eye injuries, poor risk patients). Dental problems such as extensive reconstruction.