[Finding appropriate endotracheal tube position by Trachlight in children]

Finding appropriate endotracheal tube position in children is important, because the trachea length of a child is shorter than that of an adult, and the position of the endotracheal tube is easy to be altered by head position, rotary movements, and flexion as well as extension. We confirmed the correct depth of the endotracheal tube by transillumination method using the Trachlight device in children. Twenty children were intubated orally with a rigid laryngoscope according to the distance of the formula height/10 + 5 cm at the lips. We measured the distance from the tip of the tube to the sternal notch where the bright light of the Trachlight disappeared. The tip of the endotracheal tube (4.5, 5.0 or 5.5 mm tube size) was placed approximately 1.5 cm beyond the sternal notch. The distance between the carina and the tube tip measured by chest radiography was more than 1 cm. Trachlight device was simple and reliable to ensure the appropriate endotracheal tube position in children. We consider that the appropriate depth of the endotracheal tube using any of 4.5, 5.0 or 5.5 mm tube size is 1.5 cm beyond the point the bright light of the Trachlight disappears.