Impact of changes in head position during head and neck surgery on the depth of tracheal tube intubation in anesthetized children

BMC Anesthesiology

Siyi Yan¹  Huan Zhang¹ 

[1] Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital;

关键词: Head and neck surgery;    Depth of Oral trachea cannula;    Position changes;    Tracheal tube intubation;    Children;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12871-020-01033-7

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background The classic formula has been used to estimate the depth of tracheal tube intubation in children for decades. However, it is unclear whether this formula is applicable when the head and neck position changes intraoperatively. Methods We prospectively reviewed the data of 172 well-developed children aged 2–12 years (64.0% boys) who underwent head and neck surgery under general anesthesia. The distances from the tracheal carina to the endotracheal tube tip (CT), from the superior margin of the endotracheal tube tip to the vocal cord posterior commissure (CV), and from the tracheal carina to the posterior vocal commissure (TV) were measured in the sniffing position (maximum), neutral head, and maximal head flexion positions. Results Average CT and CV in the neutral head position were 4.33 cm and 10.4 cm, respectively. They increased to 5.43 cm and 11.3 cm, respectively, in the sniffing position, and to 3.39 cm and 9.59 cm, respectively, in the maximal flexion position (all P-values < 0.001). TV remained unchanged and was only dependent on age. After stratifying patients by age, similar results were observed with other distances. CT and CV increased by 1.099 cm and 0.909 cm, respectively, when head position changed from neutral head to sniffing position, and decreased by 0.947 cm and 0.838 cm, respectively, when head position changed from neutral head to maximal flexion. Conclusion Change in head position can influence the depth of tracheal tube intubation. Therefore, the estimated depth should be corrected according to the surgical head position.

【 授权许可】

Unknown