Commentary

In this issue of Anesthesia Progress, Bowman et al discuss nasal versus oral intubation for pediatric dental treatment (Pilot Study Comparing Nasal vs Oral Intubation for Dental Surgery by Physicians, Nurse Anesthetists, and Trainees). Based on the data reported, the authors conclude that oral intubations are performed more quickly and less traumatically than nasal intubations to such a significant degree that dental surgeons should consider no longer requesting nasotracheal intubation unless absolutely necessary. I would like to challenge that notion, and contend that an anesthesia provider with sufficient expertise, combined with an excellent and gentle technique, can routinely perform atraumatic nasal intubations with such deftness and skill as to practically render any differences in intubation time or trauma clinically irrelevant