• Bora Lee, Wyun Kon Park, Soon Young Yun, Soojeong Kang, and Hyun Joo Kim.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
• J. Int. Med. Res. 2019 Jan 1; 47 (1): 235-243.

ObjectiveNasotracheal (NT) intubation is commonly applied during head and neck surgery. However, improper tube size and depth may cause complications. In the current study, we investigated whether NT tubes are being appropriately used in terms of size and depth in adult patients.MethodsNares were sized in 40 patients using standard nasopharyngeal airways (6.0-8.0) before elective surgery under general anesthesia. The largest sized airway that passed easily into the nasopharynx without resistance was considered as a proper size. Using a fiberoptic scope, the distances from the nares to the vocal cords and the nares to the carina were measured. Rates of proper NT tube positioning were calculated with regard to the cuff and distal tip.ResultsThe most frequent sizes of properly fitted NT tubes were 6.5 and 6.0 in male and female patients, respectively. Positioning of the cuff and distal tip was only appropriate when using a properly sized tube in 26% and 47% of male and female patients, respectively.ConclusionCare should be taken to determine the insertion depth after placing an NT tube that has been sized to fit the nostril. Moreover, NT tubes of the same diameter may be required in various lengths. Trial registration: Registered at ClinicalTrial.gov; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02876913 ; Registration number NCT02876913.

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