Key result
The diameter of the terminal phalanx of the little or index finger was an unreliable predictor of tracheal tube size in paediatrics compared to an age-related formula.
Why the study?
Does the diameter of the distal phalanx of the little or index finger accurately predict the best fit tracheal tube size in children compared to an age-related formula?
Observational
Does the diameter of the distal phalanx of the little or index finger accurately predict the best fit tracheal tube size in children compared to an age-related formula?
The standard age-related formula is a more reliable predictor of tracheal tube size in pediatric patients than using the diameter of the child's little or index finger.
Age-related formulas should guide paediatric tracheal tube sizing over finger diameter; leaves open prospective validation of alternatives.
A study was undertaken to compare the size of tracheal tube used for paediatric anaesthesia derived from either the diameter of the distal phalanx of the little or index finger, or from a standard formula (age in years/4 + 4.5 mm). The results showed that the diameter of the terminal phalanx was a poor predictor of the external diameter of the tube that provided the best fit. The mean (SD) diameters were 9.34 (1.02), 10.24 (1.23) and 7.56 (0.97) mm for the little finger, index finger and tracheal tube providing 'best fit', respectively. The formula provided a better correlation with the internal diameter of the chosen tracheal tube. The mean (SD) figures were 5.61 (0.75) and 5.70 (0.67) mm for the formula and the chosen tracheal tube, respectively. The use of the diameter of the terminal phalanx of either the little or the index finger is an unreliable measurement for the prediction of the tracheal tube size in paediatrics.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Berg et al. (1997) conducted an observational in paediatric anaesthesia. Finger size (distal phalanx of little or index finger) vs. Age-related formula (age/4 + 4.5 mm) was evaluated on Prediction of the best fit tracheal tube size. The diameter of the terminal phalanx of the little or index finger was an unreliable predictor of tracheal tube size in paediatrics compared to an age-related formula.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: