Introduction: The search for an accurate and predictable method to estimate the endotracheal tube (ETT) size in pediatric population had led to derivation of many formulae. Of this, age-based formulae are the most commonly used. Studies have shown that minimal transverse diameter of subglottic airway (MTDSA) measurements using a high-frequency probe improves the success rate of predicting the airway diameter to about 90%. We did a prospective observational study using MTDSA as the criteria to select the size of ETT in children with congenital heart disease.
Methods: In this prospective observational study, 51 children aged from 1 day to 5 years, scheduled for cardiac surgery, were enrolled for this study. The ETT size was guided solely based on the MTDSA. Leak test was used to determine the best-fit ETT size.
Results: Data from 49 patients were analyzed. Agreement between the ETT determined by MTDSA and that predicted by Cole's age-based formulas with the best-fit ETT size was analyzed using a Bland-Altman plot.
Conclusion: Age-based formula showed poor correlation (27.5%) compared to MTDSA (87.8%) in predicting the best-fit ETT. We observed that pediatric patients with congenital heart disease need a larger sized ETT as compared to what was predicted by age-based formula. Using ultrasound MTDSA measurements to guide selection of ETT size is a safe and accurate method in pediatric cardiac population.
Keywords: Endotracheal tube; minimal transverse diameter of subglottic airway; ultrasound.