Korean J Anesthesiol Search

CLOSE


Korean J Anesthesiol > Volume 74(4); 2021 > Article
Song: Preoperative simulation of endotracheal intubation for selection of proper tube size in pediatric patients
Predicting the proper endotracheal tube size is crucial in pediatric anesthesia. An oversized endotracheal tube may damage the airway. Mucosal edema, ischemia, ulceration, and scar formation may predispose to narrowing of the subglottic airway [1,2]. Conversely, an undersized tube may result in significant leakage of gases, leading to inadequate ventilation, impaired oxygenation, and contamination of the operating room environment. Moreover, insufficient airway sealing can increase the risk of pulmonary aspiration [3].
The age-based formulas (Cole formula: ID [inner diameter] = 4 + age/4 for uncuffed tube; Motoyama formula: ID = 3.5 + 4/age for cuffed tube in children aged 2 or more years; Khine formula: ID = 3.0 + 4/age for cuffed tube in children under 2 years of age) have been adopted as standard practice for several decades. As the physical development and growth of internal organs are not always proportional to age and have substantial individual variation, additional parameters such as weight, height, and finger width have been introduced to improve the prediction of appropriate endotracheal tube size [4,5]. However, the selection of appropriately sized tubes in pediatric patients remains a challenge, and multiple intubation attempts and tube changes are not uncommon. Recently, the measurement of subglottic airway diameter by ultrasonography has emerged for the prediction of pediatric endotracheal tube size [6]. It was shown to better predict the optimal tube size when compared with age- or height-based formulas. However, the use of ultrasound requires training, and an entire picture of the subglottic airway is difficult to obtain.
In the current issue of the Korean Journal of Anesthesiology, Park et al. [7] utilized three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to improve the prediction of proper endotracheal tube size in patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease. A 3D airway model was derived from preoperative computed tomography (CT), and the most appropriate endotracheal tube size was determined by inserting tubes of various sizes into the 3D-printed airway model. Adequacy of tube size was evaluated by an air leak test, and the 3D-printed airway model selected the appropriate endotracheal tube in 60% of the patients, whereas the age-based formula accurately predicted tube size in only 26% of the patients.
The application of 3D printing, a rapid manufacturing of prototype objects using a computational model, is expanding widely in the medical industry. 3D-printed models can be used to evaluate complex anatomical structures. They also facilitate the creation of personalized medical devices. Indeed, 3D printing has been used to manage complex airway diseases in pediatric patients [810]. As the 3D-printed airway model provides the entire airway conformation, the advantage of 3D printing may be maximized in patients with difficult airways. Despite its potential advantages, there are also several concerns that may restrict the general application of this technique in pediatric anesthesiology practice. First, 3D printing requires preoperative radiographic imaging, for example, CT. CT for airway evaluation alone cannot be accepted. Second, the efficacy should be compared with traditional formulas or ultrasonic measurements by adequately powered randomized trials. Finally, the method should also be cost-effective. However, advances and refinement in engineering could allow more widespread use of 3D printing technology-mediated personalized airway management.

NOTES

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

References

1. Dillier CM, Trachsel D, Baulig W, Gysin C, Gerber AC, Weiss M. Laryngeal damage due to an unexpectedly large and inappropriately designed cuffed pediatric tracheal tube in a 13-month-old child. Can J Anaesth 2004; 51: 72-5.
crossref pmid
2. Oshodi A, Dysart K, Cook A, Rodriguez E, Zhu Y, Shaffer TH, et al. Airway injury resulting from repeated endotracheal intubation: possible prevention strategies. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2011; 12: e34-9.
crossref pmid
3. Browning DH, Graves SA. Incidence of aspiration with endotracheal tubes in children. J Pediatr 1983; 102: 582-4.
crossref pmid
4. Kim HY, Cheon JH, Baek SH, Kim KH, Kim TK. Prediction of endotracheal tube size for pediatric patients from the epiphysis diameter of radius. Korean J Anesthesiol 2017; 70: 52-7.
crossref pmid
5. Fenley H, Voorman M, Dove JT, Greene JS. Predicting pediatric tracheal airway size from anthropomorphic measurements. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 134: 110020.
crossref pmid
6. Shibasaki M, Nakajima Y, Ishii S, Shimizu F, Shime N, Sessler DI. Prediction of pediatric endotracheal tube size by ultrasonography. Anesthesiology 2010; 113: 819-24.
crossref pmid
7. Park S, Ahn J, Yoon SU, Choo KS, Kim HJ, Chung M, et al. Prediction of endotracheal tube size using a printed three-dimensional airway model in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease: a prospective, single-center, single-group study. Korean J Anesthesiol 2021; 74: 333-41.
crossref
8. Han B, Liu Y, Zhang X, Wang J. Three-dimensional printing as an aid to airway evaluation after tracheotomy in a patient with laryngeal carcinoma. BMC Anesthesiol 2016; 16: 6.
crossref pmid pmc
9. Wilson CA, Arthurs OJ, Black AE, Schievano S, Hunt C, van Hoog S, et al. Printed three-dimensional airway model assists planning of single-lung ventilation in a small child. Br J Anaesth 2015; 115: 616-20.
crossref pmid
10. Stramiello JA, Saddawi-Konefka R, Ryan J, Brigger MT. The role of 3D printing in pediatric airway obstruction: a systematic review. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 132: 109923.
crossref pmid


ABOUT
ARTICLE CATEGORY

Browse all articles >

BROWSE ARTICLES
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Editorial Office
101-3503, Lotte Castle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04146, Korea
Tel: +82-2-792-5128    Fax: +82-2-792-4089    E-mail: journal@anesthesia.or.kr                

Copyright © 2024 by Korean Society of Anesthesiologists.

Developed in M2PI

Close layer
prev next