RAE ENDOTRACHEAL TUBES SIZES FOR CHILDREN UNDERGOING CLEFT LIP AND PALATE SURGERY.

Abstract

Background: Appropriate sizes (internal diameters) of RAE endotracheal tubes in children with cleft lip and palate, who generally have delayed growth and development in early infancy have not been explained. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to identify the proper size of REA endotracheal tube for intubation used for cleft lip and palate surgery and intubation outcomes in these patients. Material and methods: 60 cleft lip and palate patients were selected for analytic cross-sectional study. The proper tube size was determined by normal children formula. Then tube size was confirmed by patients' minimum resistance to intubation, proper ventilation, and appropriate air leakage at an airway pressure of 15-20 cm H2O. Number of attempts of intubation and the largest endotracheal tube size were recorded. Results: The average age, weight and height of patients were 22.40±4.85 months, 9.88±1.28 kg, 72.40±24.50 cm respectively. The average RAE endotracheal tube size and frequency of intubation trials were 4.25±0.78 and 1.62±0.70, respectively. 6 cases required RAE endotracheal tube size smaller than the recommended size. Conclusions: In cleft lip and plate child, the predicted RAE endotracheal tube size was similar to standard normal child tube size. Smaller RAE tube size was required for subglottic stenosis.