Abstract: A medical instrument for facilitating endotracheal intubation in a patient, the instrument including a handle and an elongated obturator element extending therefrom, the obturator element for releasably retaining thereon a selected endotracheal tube for positioning within the patient, a mechanism being provided for selectively retaining and ejecting the endotracheal tube from the obturator element, the obturator element accommodating therethrough an endoscope to permit visualization at the end thereof to facilitate placement of the endotracheal tube, the apparatus also including structure for providing controlled suction at the end of the obturator element.