The present invention relates to a respiratory assistance apparatus comprising a respiratory assistance tube (2) whose distal end (3) designed to be introduced into the trachea (4) of a patient is equipped with an inflatable balloon (5), and means (6, 11) for conveying the respiratory gas into the lungs of the patient by way of the said tube (2). According to the invention, the apparatus comprises first means (16) for detecting variations in the pressure inside the said balloon (5). The invention applies to respiratory assistance. <IMAGE>
