The Effect of the Ultrasonography Measurement Method and the Conventional Measurement Method Used in Endotracheal Tube Size Selection in the Pediatric Patient Group on Postextubation Complications and Patient Recovery.

INTRODUCTION:  In this study, we aimed to compare the cuffed intubation tube selected with the Cole formula and tracheal ultrasonography (USG) measurement method regarding postextubation complications in providing airway patency and determine its effects on patient recovery.

MATERIALS AND METHOD:  Between 01 July 2022 and 30 June 2023, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk group I-III, 4-6-year-old patients who underwent pediatric orthodontic surgery (multiple tooth extraction) were included in the study. Data of age, gender, weight, ASA risk group, history, Cole formula, USG measurement results used in the endotracheal tube (ETT) selection (one of the two whichever application was used), fasting time, intubation success, operation time, 30th-minute modified Aldrete recovery score (MASS), and postoperative complications due to intubation (within the first postoperative hour) were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the method used by the anesthesiologists in selecting the ETT at the beginning of the operation. The group that used Cole formula management was named I, while the group that used the USG measurement method was called II. Intubation-related complication data of the patients in the first 1 hour postoperatively and MASS values at the 30th minute were compared between the groups.

RESULTS: In this study, 52.5% of the cases were male (n=42), 47.5% were female (n=38), the mean age was 4.84±0.84 years, and the mean body weight was 22.56±7.58 kilogram. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding age, gender, body weight, ASA score, operation time, and period without oral consumption. ETT diameter measurement values according to groups were 4.73±0.46 mm in Group I and 4.41±0.61 mm in Group II. Postoperative 30th-minute MASS values were median 7 in Group I and median 8 in Group II (p<.001). MASS values were significantly higher in the Group II patient group. Intubation-related complications (postoperative cough, stridor, laryngospasm, tachypnea, wheezing, dysphonia) were observed in Group I with a rate of 40% within the first postoperative hour, while complications were marked with a rate of 17.5% in Group II (p=0.026). Complications in group II were significantly lower.

CONCLUSION:  In the pediatric age group, especially under the age of 6, trachea measurement with USG and ETT selection is an effective, safe, and noninvasive method compared to other conventional methods. ETT size selection with USG accelerates postoperative patient recovery and reduces the risk of intubation-related complications. In addition, inflating the tube cuff under USG guidance can prevent cuff-related complications.