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Presents several letters to the editor. Appreciation on the article about poisoning with organophosphorus compounds; Topics about hemodynamics; Views on the use of oxime reactivators.

Clinical methods to determine endotracheal tube position are unreliable. The Oesophageal Detector Device and capnometry allow a quick and reliable assessment of tube position (oesophageal vs airway), but neither can differentiate between a tracheal or bronchial tube position. The Rapiscope™ (Cook Critical Care, Bloomington, USA) is a battery powered, ultralight fibrescope designed to visualise upper airway anatomy and to confirm the endotracheal tube position. The Cook Airway Exchange Catheter™ is designed to be used with the Rapiscope™ and to protect the fibre optic. During experiments with intubated minipigs, an additional, identical tube was inserted into the oesophagus. Anaesthetists and medical students were asked to determine the position of one of the tubes (randomly chosen after disconnection of the pig from the ventilator) using the Rapiscope™ with and without the Cook Airway Exchange Catheter. The decision (tracheal or oesophageal) was then confirmed with the Oesophageal Detector Device and subsequently, whether tracheal or bronchial, was checked with a conventional endoscope. The time needed to determine the tube position was recorded. Using the Rapiscope™ either alone or with the Cook Airway Exchange Catheter it was not possible, in most cases, to determine the correct tube position. The failure in establishing tube position was caused by the 'foggy' optic. The visibility could not be improved by using the Cook Airway Exchange Catheter or by oxygen insufflation. Consequently, the use of the Rapiscope™ cannot be recommended at this stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]