Measurement of subglottic diameter and distance to pre-epiglottic space among Chinese adults
Journal
PLoS ONE
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
7-Jul
Pages
e0236364
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Chan W.-H.
Chang H.C.-H.
Abstract
Proper endotracheal tube (ETT) size selection and identification of potentially difficult airways are important to reduce laryngeal injury during intubation. However, controversies exist concerning transverse subglottic diameter-the narrowest part of the airway-and the distance to pre-epiglottic space. Because few studies have reported the distance from skin to the midpoint of the epiglottis (DSE) among normal individuals, whether the DSE varies between individuals and by ethnicity remains uncertain. The present study aims to investigate the sonographic subglottic diameter and DSE among healthy Chinese adults. Healthy volunteers were recruited at National Taiwan University Hospital between October and November 2019. Exclusion criteria included pre-existing airway or respiratory diseases, neck tumors, and a history of neck operation. Age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), sonographic DSE, and transverse subglottic diameter were recorded. A total of 124 participants were enrolled. The average age was 32.5 ± 10.4 years and 63 participants (51%) were males. The subglottic diameter was positively associated with sex (males, 14.40 mm; females, 11.10 mm, p < 0.001) and BMI (underweight, 12.13 mm; normal weight, 12.47 mm; overweight, 13.80 mm; obese, 13.67 mm, p = 0.007). Moreover, the DSE was shorter in males (male, 16.18 mm; females, 14.54 mm, p < 0.001) and participants with increased BMI (underweight, 13.70 mm; normal weight, 15.06 mm; overweight, 16.58 mm; obese, 18.18 mm, p < 0.001). As compared with other ethnicity, a smaller size of subglottic diameter and a shorter DSE were noted among Chinese participants, and we suggest that a relatively smaller size of endotracheal tube selection should be considered in tracheal intubations. Copyright ? 2020 Chan et al.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; Article; body height; body mass; body weight; Chinese; echography; ethnicity; female; groups by age; human; male; normal human; obesity; observational study; prospective study; respiratory tract parameters; sex; underweight; university hospital; aged; anatomy and histology; Asian continental ancestry group; epiglottis; ethnology; glottis; middle aged; procedures; Taiwan; young adult; Adult; Aged; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Epiglottis; Female; Glottis; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Taiwan; Ultrasonography; Young Adult
Type
journal article