Cuffed endotracheal tubes in neonates and infants of less than 3 kg body weight—A retrospective audit

Abstract

Background Large prospective clinical studies have shown that modern cuffed pediatric tracheal tubes can be used safely, even in children weighing ≥3 kg. There is a growing interest in their use in children weighing <3 kg so that they, too, can benefit from the potential advantages, particularly the high probability of these tubes fitting into and sealing the pediatric airway at the first intubation attempt. This study aimed to find a cut‐off body weight for procedures requiring a cuffed tracheal tube to seal the airway in children weighing <3 kg and to evaluate the frequency and predictive factors for the requirement to place a cuffed instead of an uncuffed tracheal tube. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of 269 children weighing 2000–2999 g, primarily intubated by pediatric anesthetists. Frequency of intubation with uncuffed Sheridan tubes versus cuffed Microcuff® Pediatric Endotracheal Tube (PET) 3.0 mm ID was studied. Predictive variables were assessed by means of logistic regression analysis. The ROC curve for weight at intubation time and Youden index was calculated. Results The 149 (55.4%) children were finally intubated with a cuffed tracheal tube. Logistic regression demonstrated that body weight at tracheal intubation and birth weight were the strongest predictors for the appropriateness of cuffed/uncuffed tracheal tubes. The threshold weight at tracheal intubation was 2700 g for a probability >50% of using a cuffed tracheal tube. Conclusion Half of the children weighing 2000–2999 g received a Microcuff® PET 3.0 mm ID, especially those with a body weight above 2700 g. Because of the anatomical dimensions in patients with a body weight of 2000–2999 g, cuffed tracheal tubes with smaller outer diameters may be required to better fit their airways.

Pediatric Application of Cuffed Endotracheal Tube

“… 64 , 65 In those infants weighing 2–3 kg, cuffed tubes may be chosen in >50% of occasions at ≥2.7 kg weight. 11 , 66 Reportedly, a 2.5 mm ID Mircocuff tube is currently under development. 11 …”

Pediatric application of cuffed endotracheal tube: a secondary publication translated into Korean

“…64,65) . 2-3 kg 환자 대상 연구 에 따르면, 2.7 kg 이상 환자 삽관 시 CETT가 50% 이상 쓰였다 11,66) . 본 종설 작성 당시, 2.5 mm Microcuff TM 관…”

WestJEM Full-Text Issue

“…10,57,60 Experts and learners advocate for feedback to be timely, which increases the likelihood that the feedback will be used for improvement. [3][4][5][6][7]20,26,28,30,52,54,63 While finding time to provide feedback during clinical work can be a challenge, 46,[64][65][66][67] realtime feedback has been shown to improve performance. 68,69 Additionally, there is literature to support that real-time, workplace-based assessments provide more specific and effective feedback than end-of-rotation evaluations.…”

“…64,65 In those infants weighing 2-3 kg, cuffed tubes may be chosen in >50% of occasions at ≥2.7 kg weight. 11,66 Reportedly, a 2.5 mm ID Mircocuff tube is currently under development. 11…”