Background: Nasotracheal intubation for general anesthesia is preferred for many oral and maxillofacial procedures because it ensures unhindered access to the operative site. Epistaxis and tube insertion failures are recognized complications of nasotracheal intubation. The aim of our study was to elucidate whether the nostril side used influenced epistaxis and insertion failure incidence. Methods: We studied 434 patients undergoing nasal intubation (July 2004- February 2005) with permission. Randomly, one side of nostril was selected with chart ID number. During nasotracheal intubation, epistaxis severity and tube insertion failure was observed by the anesthesiologist who inserted nasotracheal tube. Results: There was no significant difference between either nostril in epistaxis severity (chi-square test P = 0.860) and in the incidence of insertion failure (P = 0.867). Conclusions: In this study, both nostrils showed equal epistaxis and insertion failure incidence.