Objective To compare the bacteriological results between visual laryngoscope and direct laryngoscope after oral tube intubation under general anesthesia, in order to provide evidence for the selection of intubation methods. Methods A total of 90 patients who were scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia from May 2020 to April 2021 were selected. According to the random number table method, they were divided into two groups (n=45): a visual laryngoscope group (an experimental group) and a direct laryngoscope group (a control group). For the experimental group, the glottis was exposed using a visual laryngoscope, followed by insertion of the endotracheal tube under the guidance of the screen, while patients in the control group was intubated using a direct laryngoscope with the glottis fully exposed. Both groups were compared for the types and number of bacterial strains at the tip of endotracheal tubes and the pulmonary infection incidence at postoperative 1 week. Results There were three patients (6.7%) in the experimental group and one patient (2.2%) in the control group who presented pulmonary infection at postoperative 1 week, without statistical differences between the two groups (P>0.05). Slight differences were seen in the types of bacterial strains on the endotracheal tube tips between the two groups. Furthermore, there were 61 strains (42.36%) in the experimental group, and 83 strains (57.64%) in the control group, without statistical differences between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion During oral tube intubation under general anesthesia, visual laryngoscope does not increase the risk of infection, compared with direct laryngoscope.