Displacement of the Endotracheal Tube Caused by Change of Head Position in Pediatric Anesthesia

Displacement of the endotracheal tube (ETT) caused by flexion and extension of the neck and the placement of a tongue depressor was investigated in 10 small children between the ages of 16 and 19 mo by means of a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The ETT tip moved a mean distance of 0.9 cm toward the carina with flexion and 1.7 cm toward the vocal cords with extension of the neck. After the placement of a tongue depressor, the ETT tip, which had once moved toward the vocal cords with neck extension, was displaced a mean distance of 1.2 cm toward the carina. Our results demonstrate that endobronchial intubation and accidental extubation could occur after significant changes of the head position and careless placement of a tongue depressor in small children.