Proper Depth of Tracheal Intubation in Korean Children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In pediatric intubation, it is difficult to select the correct tracheal tube size and proper depth. Children have as many different tube size as they have ages. This study was performed to evaluate the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) guideline for intubation in Korean children. METHODS: We studied pediatric patients who were admitted with intubation from 1996 to 2001 at our hospital. We selected 33 Korean patients under 15 years of age for evaluation in this study. Their medical records and chest radiographs were compared. The distance of the tracheal tube tip from the carina on the postintubation chest X-ray was determined. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were enrolled in the study. The depth of tracheal intubation was proper in 12 patients (36.3%), too deep in 16 patients (48.4%) and too shallow in 5 patients (15.1%). The reasons for intubation were respiratory failure (24.2%), mental change (57.6%) and status epilepticus (18.1%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the PALS guideline for tracheal intubation is not suitable for Korean children. Determination of the proper depth of tracheal intubation for Korean children is needed through further study.