Ultrasound compared to Age Related Formulas for prediction of Pediatric Endotracheal Tube Size

Abstract

In pediatrics, having proper size of endotracheal tube is mandatory. The use of age-based formulas to calculate the ETT size is easy, practical and common today. However, the incidence of appropriate tube size is still not satisfactory, hence increasing incidence of changing tube such as trauma and aspiration. Recent studies found that measuring the minimal transverse subglottic diameter may be helpful in selecting the proper tube size. This study was aimed at proofing that selecting ETT size using ultrasound measurement of subglottic diameter is a accurate method and lead to less frequency of changing tube size than age-based formula especially in older children. This study was conducted in Ain Shams University Hospitals on 60 children aged between 2 to12 years, of both genders, American society of anesthesiologists (ASA) I or II physical status scheduled for day case surgery under general endotracheal anesthesia. Children were divided randomly according to age into three groups: group I included children aged between 2 to < 5 years, group