A New and Safe Method to Control the Depth of Endotracheal Intubation in Neonates

Endotracheal intubation in neonates is usually performed during emergency resuscitation. The most common and most serious complication of endotracheal intubation is placement of the tube in the right main bronchus followed by overventilation of the right lower lobe which is often associated with underventilation and atelectasis of the remainder of the lungs.1 If the inflation of the right lower lobe is excessive then alveolar rupture and interstitial emphysema may follow.2 The present technique of endotracheal intubation is to insert the tube into the trachea and then auscultate over both lung fields. If breath sounds are decreased over one lung field then the tube is slightly withdrawn.