There is provided a tracheal catheter designed so that a suction catheter may be used to suction out any secretions that accumulate in the zone above the balloon. There is further provided a tracheal catheter having a ventilation lumen with a flexible wall to provide a flexible lumen which takes up negligible volume when the catheter is not inserted. The suction catheter may be inserted into the flexible lumen, bending the flexible lumen wall that normally lies substantially flat against the ventilating lumen. As the suction catheter is inserted into the lumen, the lumen opens to accept it. When the catheter is removed, the wall of the flexible lumen moves back into position against the ventilating lumen wall, again taking up negligible volume. There is also provided a method of suctioning the subglottic space of an intubated patient. This involves providing a tube as described above, inserting a catheter into the flexible lumen from the proximal end, and providing suction to the proximal end of the catheter.