Determination of the tracheal diameter with ultrasound and its relationship with the tube calculation formula in children aged 1 to 12 years Original Research

Abstract

Introduction: The formulas used to determine the number of endotracheal tubes (ETT) are inaccurate, so using new methods such as Ultrasound (US) seems promising. The objective of the present study was to determine the tracheal diameter in the US in children aged 1-12 years and to establish its relationship with the formulas.

Methods: This observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was carried out between January 2020 and December 2021 in 129 patients aged 1 to 12 years who underwent scheduled and emergency surgery. The sample was based on: a confidence level of 95%, a precision of 5%, a variance of 0.2, inclusion criteria were met, sociodemographic and clinical variables were analyzed, and as a result variable the correlation between the tracheal diameter was determined by the US with determined by formulas, the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, using the mean, standard error, CI, standard deviation, Pearson's correlation, and Pearson's r coefficient.

Results: The following variables prevailed: age 3, 11, and 12 years (12.9%), male sex (69.8%), ASA I (76.7%), normal nutritional status (76.7%); it was shown that in the following groups there was no linear increase in tracheal diameter by the US concerning their age: 3 years old, 5.54 mm, with CI between 5.17-5.92 mm, six years old, 6.58 mm, with a CI between 5.67-7.49 mm and ten years old. 7.94 mm, with a CI between 7.39-8.50 mm It was correlated with the formulas, and a Pearson's r coefficient of 80.2% was obtained.

Conclusions: It is possible to predict the size of an ETT based on ultrasonographic measurements prior to intubation in children aged 1 to 12 years.