Chen-Hwan Cherng1, Chih-Shung Wong, Che-Hao Hsu, Shung-Tai Ho. 1. Department of Anesthesiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No. 13, Lane 61, Wan-Shou Road, Mu-Ja, 116 Taipei, Taiwan. cherng1018@sinamail.com
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the optimal endotracheal tube (ETT) length in orotracheally intubated patients. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Operating room of a medical center hospital. PATIENTS: 293 ASA physical status I and II patients (150 male and 143 female), requiring general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation. INTERVENTIONS: We used fiberoptic bronchoscope within the ETT to identify the carina and vocal cords. MEASUREMENTS: The length from carina to vocal cords, vocal cords to right mouth angle (corner), and carina to right mouth angle were measured. The optimal ETT tip was defined as 5 cm above the carina. Patient's height and sternum length were recorded. MAIN RESULTS: The correlation between airway length and body height was significant. By linear regression, a formula was obtained to estimate the optimal ETT length in orotracheally intubated patients: the length from 5 cm above carina to right mouth angle (cm) =< body height (cm)/5> - 13. CONCLUSION: The optimal insertion length of the ETT for orotracheally intubated adult patients with the head placed in a neutral position is correlated with body height. The proposed formula can provide a useful guide to determine the optimal ETT tip position in most of the patients who required orotracheal intubation.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the optimal endotracheal tube (ETT) length in orotracheally intubated patients. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Operating room of a medical center hospital. PATIENTS: 293 ASA physical status I and II patients (150 male and 143 female), requiring general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation. INTERVENTIONS: We used fiberoptic bronchoscope within the ETT to identify the carina and vocal cords. MEASUREMENTS: The length from carina to vocal cords, vocal cords to right mouth angle (corner), and carina to right mouth angle were measured. The optimal ETT tip was defined as 5 cm above the carina. Patient's height and sternum length were recorded. MAIN RESULTS: The correlation between airway length and body height was significant. By linear regression, a formula was obtained to estimate the optimal ETT length in orotracheally intubated patients: the length from 5 cm above carina to right mouth angle (cm) =< body height (cm)/5> - 13. CONCLUSION: The optimal insertion length of the ETT for orotracheally intubated adult patients with the head placed in a neutral position is correlated with body height. The proposed formula can provide a useful guide to determine the optimal ETT tip position in most of the patients who required orotracheal intubation.