Endotracheal tubes (ETT) are secured during surgery and ICU care so that they are not accidentally removed from the airway. The position of the tip of the ETT is important and must not vary much within the trachea. The standard technique for securing an ETT is to use tape to attach it to the upper lip and face. The technique is cheap and simple, but suffers from certain drawbacks. First, the upper lip is mobile and thus even when well secured, the tube can move within the trachea due to this mobility. Second, conditions on the face such as sweating, drooling, facial hair, skin flaking or breakdown, all interfere with the ability of the tape to adhere, thus reducing its efficacy. Furthermore, the tape itself can irritate and or injure the facial skin. The adhesive irritates skin and certain patients are allergic to these substances. Also, removing the tape can physically damage the skin, especially if the skin is vulnerable to sheer forces (such as elderly patients or patients on systemic steroids).