[Estimation of the optimal tube length : Systematic review article on published formulae for infants and children].

CONCLUSION: The published formulae were comparatively simply to apply but had notable limitations. Correlating the position of the endotracheal tubes with chest x-rays, the concordance analysis showed that for the age-based formulae using orotracheal as well as nasotracheal intubation and in both age groups, an accordance could only be achieved in a maximum of 81 %. In the presence of a lack of alternative possibilities, only one formula based on the gestational age seemed to have an impact on estimation of correct endotracheal tube depth placement in newborns and infants. Therefore, a generally valid formula cannot be recommended without verification by auscultation or chest x-ray. PMID: 26696266 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Der Anaesthesist - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Anaesthesist Source Type: research