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Optimal depth of insertion of left-sided double-lumen endobronchial tubes cannot be predicted from body height in below average-sized adult patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2005

M. Yasumoto ,
K. Higa ,
K. Nitahara ,
S. Shono  and
T. Hamada
M. Yasumoto
Affiliation:
Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Fukuoka, Japan
K. Higa
Affiliation:
Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Fukuoka, Japan
K. Nitahara
Affiliation:
Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Fukuoka, Japan
S. Shono
Affiliation:
Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Fukuoka, Japan
T. Hamada
Affiliation:
Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Fukuoka, Japan
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Extract

Summary

Background and objective: The optimal depth of insertion of left-sided double-lumen endobronchial tubes is strongly correlated with body height in average-sized adults. However, this relationship has not been studied in below average-sized adult patients. We investigated whether or not there is a clinically useful relationship in below average-sized adult patients. Methods: One hundred and ninety six consecutive adult patients undergoing thoracic surgery under one-lung anaesthesia (body height ≤ 155 cm) were included in this study. Left-sided double-lumen tubes were inserted under the guidance of a fibre-optic bronchoscope. Optimal depth was defined as the proximal surface of the bronchial cuff positioned just below the carina. Results: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between body height and the optimal depth of insertion (r = 0.61, P < 0.0001); however, the correlation coefficient was low. The actual optimal depth of insertion of one patient was even 4.5 cm shorter than that obtained from the equation. Conclusion: Although there was a statistically significant correlation between body height and the optimal depth of insertion of left sided double lumen tubes in adult patients of short stature (≤ 155 cm), clinical application of the equation is not warranted and these tubes should be inserted under direct vision with a fibre-optic bronchoscope.

Keywords

ANAESTHESIA, GENERALINTUBATION INTRATRACHEAL, endobronchial intubation, insertion techniqueBODY HEIGHT
Type
Original Article
Information
European Journal of Anaesthesiology , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , January 2006 , pp. 42 - 44
Copyright
© 2006 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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