Estimation of the length of the nares-vocal cord

The nasal route is preferred for fiberoptic intubation. Placing a lubricated endotracheal tube through the nostril can guide the fiberoptic scope towards the larynx. It would be helpful for optimal visualization of the vocal cord when the scope is passed through the endotracheal tube if the length of nares-vocal cord (NV length) could be predicted and the tip of the endotracheal tube could be placed close to the vocal cord. In this study we measured the NV length and examined the relationship between the NV length and various external measurements. Using a fiberoptic scope, the NV lengths were measured in 50 male and 45 female patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery under general anesthesia. In addition, the distances from the lateral border of the nares to tragus of the ear (NE distance) and to the angle of the mandible (NM distance) were measured. The age, height, and weight of all the patients were recorded. The NV length of the males was 18.3 +/- 0.8 cm, and that of the females was 16.3 +/- 0.7 cm. The relationship between the NV length and body height (P < 0.001, r = 0.755) and the NE distance (P < 0.001, r = 0.636) showed a significant correlation but NM distance did not (P = 0.075). The length of the NV cord can be predicted using the body height or the NE distance.