The contribution of ventilatory equipment to the pathogenesis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is well-established but the design of endotracheal tubes has been improved only to reduce tracheal traumatization. However many factors, including the surface properties of the endotracheal tube, humidity of the ventilatory gases, ventilatory mode and nursing management result in the formation of an infective, highly viscous and adhesive layer inside of the endotracheal tube. Endotracheal tubes may contribute to the pathogenesis of VAP when infective particles of this adhesive layer are dislodged into the lower airways by shear forces imparted by the respiratory gasflow. The current state of research is reviewed and potential solutions to this problem are discussed.