Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Body Surface Area Is Not a Reliable Predictor of Tracheal Tube Size in Children.

OBJECTIVES: The age-based Cole formula has been employed for the estimation of endotracheal tube (ETT) size due to its ease of use, but may not appropriately consider growth rates among children. Child growth is assessed by calculating the body surface area (BSA). The association between the outer diameter of an appropriate uncuffed-endotrachealtube (ETT-OD) and the BSA values of patients at 24-96 months of age was our primary outcome.

METHODS: Cole formula, BSA, age, height, weight and ultrasound measurement of subglottic-transverse-diameter were evaluated for correlations with correct uncuffed ETT-OD. The Cole formula, BSA, and ultrasound measurements were analyzed for estimation rates in all patients and age subgroups. The maximum allowed error for the estimation of ETT-OD was ≤0.3 mm. Patients' tracheas were intubated with tubes chosen by Cole formula and correct ETT-OD values were determined using leak test. ETT exchange rates were recorded.

RESULTS: One-hundred twenty-seven patients were analyzed for the determination of estimation rates. Thirteen patients aged ≥72 months were intubated with cuffed ETT-OD of 8.4 mm and were accepted to need uncuffed ETT-OD >8.4 mm in order to be included in estimation rates, but excluded from correlations for size analysis. One-hundred fourteen patients were analyzed for correlations between correct ETT-OD (determined by the leak test) and outcome parameters. Cole formula, ultrasonography, and BSA had similar correct estimation rates. All three parameters had higher underestimation rates as age increased.

CONCLUSION: The Cole formula, BSA, and ultrasonography had similar estimation rates in patients aged 24≤ to ≤96 months. BSA had a correct estimation rate of 40.2% and may not be reliable in clinical practice to predict uncuffedETT-size.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app