Proper Depth of Nasotracheal Tube in Korean Adults

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nasotracheal intubation is one of techniques of airway management that is essential for the emergency physician to master. It is very important to determine the optimal initial depth of tube in nasotracheal intubation, prior to obtaining a chest radiograph. The average distance from the external naris to the carina is 32cm in the adult male and 27 to 28cm in the adult female in American. We thought that this distance would be inappropriate to Korean adults because of the difference of body habitus. So we studied the proper depth of nasotracheal tube in korean adults and evaluated the factors influencing to that distance. METHODS: A prospective study was performed to determine the distance from the external naris to the carina in 127 Korean adults examined by flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy from October 1998 to August 1999. In addition, the influence of age, height and weight to that distance was evaluated in korean adults. RESULT:S The distance from the external naris to the carina in Korean adults was 31.0 +/-1.3 cm in male and 27.6 +/-1.6 cm in female. That distance was positive related to height and weight, but not to age. CONCLUSION: If the tip of the nasotracheal tube be placed at 2cm above the carina, proper depth of nasotracheal tube should be 29cm in male and 26cm in female in Korean adults. And the distance from the external naris to the carina was related to height and weight.