Use of an optical fiber scope to confirm endotracheal tube placement in pediatric patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a portable optical fiber scope to confirm endotracheal tube (ETT) placement.


METHODS
A prospective, nonrandomized, blinded study.


METHODS
Pediatric intensive care unit in a children's hospital.


METHODS
Thirty mechanically ventilated patients with an ETT in place.


METHODS
Patients entered into the study underwent ETT placement determination by chest roentgenogram (CXR) and by the optical fiber scope.


RESULTS
Thirty patients were entered into the study, for a total of 46 measurements (n = 46). ETT size ranged from 3.0 to 6.0 mm internal diameter. Distance from the ETT and the carina was determined by the scope and compared with the distance measured on the CXR. No statistical difference was found between the two methods. None of the patients experienced clinically significant side effects from the procedure. On three occasions, the presence of secretions in the ETT did not allow for the visualization of the carina by the scope.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a flexible optical fiber scope is an accurate, fast, and practical method to determine ETT placement in pediatric patients on mechanical ventilation.
Reyes
G
G
Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Midwest NeoPed Associates, Ltd., Oak Brook, IL, USA.
Ramilo
J
J
Horowitz
I
I
Freter
A E
AE
Husayni
T
T
Sulayman
R
R
Jaimovich
D G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D055100:Optical Fibers; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D016037:Single-Blind Method