Evaluation of endotracheal tube position
Updates to Article Attributes
Endotracheal tubes (ETT) are wide-bore plastic tubes that are inserted into the trachea to allow artificial ventilation. Tubes come in a variety of sizes and have a balloon at the tip to ensure that gastric contents are not aspirated into the lungs. Adult tubes are usually approximately 1 cm in diameter. Tubes have a radiopaque strip within them so that they are visible on radiographs.
Evaluation of ETT
ETT position is usually assessed on a frontal chest radiograph.
The position of the ETT is dependantdependent on the position of the head. If the neck is flexed, the tip of the tube descends in the trachea.
If included on the film, the mandible can be used for assessment of whether the neck is in a neutral position. In a neutral position, the lower border of the mandible should be projected over C5/6. When flexed, the mandible projects around T1 and in extension, over C3/4.
The carina is usually projected over T5-T7 (it descends with increasing age).
The desired position of an ETT varies with neck position and hence, inclusion of the mandible is a helpful indicator:
- flexed: 3 cm (± 2 cm) from carina
- neutral: 5 cm (± 2cm) from carina
- extended: 7 cm (± 2cm) from carina
In children, the trachea is shorter and the optimum position for the tip of the ETT is 1.5 cm above the carina.
When the carina cannot be visualised (usually due to technical factors) the ideal position of ETT is in the middle third of trachea at T2 to T4 level (with the neck in neutral position) 2.
Complications related to malposition
The main issue with malposition of an ETT is that it is inserted too far resulting in intubation of the right main bronchus. This results in overinflation of the right lung and collapse of the left lung.
See also
-<p><strong>Endotracheal tubes (ETT)</strong> are wide-bore plastic tubes that are inserted into the <a href="/articles/trachea">trachea</a> to allow artificial ventilation. Tubes come in a variety of sizes and have a balloon at the tip to ensure that gastric contents are not aspirated into the <a href="/articles/lung">lungs</a>. Adult tubes are usually approximately 1 cm in diameter. Tubes have a radiopaque strip within them so that they are visible on radiographs.</p><h4>Evaluation of ETT</h4><p>ETT position is usually assessed on a frontal chest radiograph.</p><p>The position of the ETT is dependant on the position of the head. If the neck is flexed, the tip of the tube descends in the trachea.</p><p>If included on the film, the mandible can be used for assessment of whether the neck is in a neutral position. In a neutral position, the lower border of the mandible should be projected over C5/6. When flexed, the mandible projects around T1 and in extension, over C3/4.</p><p>The carina is usually projected over T5-T7 (it descends with increasing age).</p><p>The desired position of an ETT varies with neck position and hence, inclusion of the mandible is a helpful indicator:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Endotracheal tubes (ETT)</strong> are wide-bore plastic tubes that are inserted into the <a href="/articles/trachea">trachea</a> to allow artificial ventilation. Tubes come in a variety of sizes and have a balloon at the tip to ensure that gastric contents are not aspirated into the <a href="/articles/lung">lungs</a>. Adult tubes are usually approximately 1 cm in diameter. Tubes have a radiopaque strip within them so that they are visible on radiographs.</p><h4>Evaluation of ETT</h4><p>ETT position is usually assessed on a <a title="Frontal chest radiograph" href="/articles/chest-radiograph">frontal chest radiograph</a>.</p><p>The position of the ETT is dependent on the position of the head. If the neck is flexed, the tip of the tube descends in the trachea.</p><p>If included on the film, the mandible can be used for assessment of whether the neck is in a neutral position. In a neutral position, the lower border of the mandible should be projected over C5/6. When flexed, the mandible projects around T1 and in extension, over C3/4.</p><p>The <a title="Carina" href="/articles/carina">carina</a> is usually projected over T5-T7 (it descends with increasing age).</p><p>The desired position of an ETT varies with neck position and hence, inclusion of the mandible is a helpful indicator:</p><ul>
-</ul><p>In children, the trachea is shorter and the optimum position for the tip of the ETT is 1.5 cm above the carina.</p><p>When the carina cannot be visualised (usually due to technical factors) the ideal position of ETT is in the middle third of trachea at T2 to T4 level (with neck in neutral position) <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Complications related to malposition</h4><p>The main issue with malposition of an ETT is that it is inserted too far resulting in intubation of the right main bronchus. This results in overinflation of the right lung and collapse of the left lung.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/misplaced-endotracheal-tube">misplaced endotracheal tube</a></li></ul>- +</ul><p>In children, the trachea is shorter and the optimum position for the tip of the ETT is 1.5 cm above the carina.</p><p>When the carina cannot be visualised (usually due to technical factors) the ideal position of ETT is in the middle third of trachea at T2 to T4 level (with the neck in neutral position) <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Complications related to malposition</h4><p>The main issue with malposition of an ETT is that it is inserted too far resulting in intubation of the right main bronchus. This results in overinflation of the right lung and collapse of the left lung.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/misplaced-endotracheal-tube">misplaced endotracheal tube</a></li></ul>
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