Fibre-optic bronchoscopic evaluation of tracheal tube position.
Verification of tracheal tube position by fibre-optic bronchoscopy was evaluated in 20 critically ill adult patients. The distance between the carina and the tube was measured by direct visualization with a fibre-optic bronchoscope and compared with the corresponding measurement obtained from a concomitant chest radiograph. The measured values did not differ significantly and in 18 out of 20 patients the accuracy was within 2 cm. No adverse effects were observed. We conclude that verification of tracheal tube position by fibre-optic bronchoscopy is a safe alternative to chest X-ray.
Nielsen
L H
LH
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Odense, Denmark.
Kristensen
J
J
Knudsen
F
F
Nielsen
D T
DT
Andersen
P K
PK
D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male