Objective To explore the effectiveness and safety of self-made washable endotracheal tube for subglottic secretion drainage. Methods Ordinary endotracheal tube and sputum aspirating tubes were used to make washable endotracheal tube for subglottic secretion drainage in our hospital. The self-made tubes were compared with washable endotracheal tube available on the market. The suction resistance, the cases of obstruction in the tubes, the average daily drainage, and the cases of infection of incisional wound were compared between the two kinds of tubes, and their safety was evaluated. Results After three days of application, the suction resistance of endotracheal tube available on the market increased, with six cases of the blockage of the lumen ( 85% ) , while that of self-made endotracheal tube did not change, with no cases of blockage ( 0% ) . There was significant difference between these two kinds of tubes ( P lt;0. 01) . The average daily drainage in the former was ( 16. 55 ±8. 66) mL/d; while that in the latter was ( 40. 12 ±25. 48) mL/d. There was no significant statistical difference between the two kinds of tubes ( P gt;0. 05) . The incidence ofinfection of incisional wound in the ordinary endotracheal tube was 50% ( 5 cases) ; that in the tubes available on the market was 28% ( 2 cases) ; that in the self-made tubes was 15% ( 2 cases) . There was significant difference among the three groups. When tube cuffs were inflated, the distance between the back edge of suction tubes and tube cuffs was was 2-4 mm. Conclusion Self-made washable endotracheal tubes are effective for subglottic secretion drainage with good safety and low price.