“…Several measurement techniques and definitions for upper airway pressure have been used. A catheter (polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, teflon tubing) is placed percutaneously through the wall of the trachea into the cranial part of the trachea (Derksen et al, 1986;Shappell et al, 1988;Funkquist et al, 1988;Williams et al, 1990a;Lumsden et al, 1993;Roethlisberger-Holm, 1993) or nasotracheally (Williams et al, 1990a;Williams et al, 1990b;Ducharme et al, 1994;Rehder et al, 7995)into the pharynx and the cranial part of the trachea. Williams and assistants (f990a) have shown that the pressure recordings via a transnasal catheter are not different from recordings made by a transtracheal catheter but less invasive and therefore more suitable for clinical use.…”