title: Estimation of the nares-to-epiglottis distance and the nares-to-vocal cords distance in young children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Estimation of the nares-to-epiglottis and nares-to-vocal cords distances would facilitate the selection of properly sized nasopharyngeal airways and appropriate positioning of a fibreoptic bronchoscope in young children. The purposes of this study were to measure the nares-to-epiglottis and nares-to-vocal cords distances and to create an algorithm to predict these distances based on anatomical landmarks and paediatric characteristic data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and eleven children, aged 1-10 yr, undergoing elective surgery were investigated. After induction of general anaesthesia, the distances from the nares to the epiglottis/vocal cords were measured using a nasogastric tube. After intubation, the distances from the lateral border of the nose to the ipsilateral mandible angle (nares-to-mandible distance) and the tragus of the ear (nares-to-tragus distance) were measured using a tape measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nares-to-epiglottis and nares-to-vocal cords distances were significantly correlated with the age, weight, height, and external measurements (P<0.001). By stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, formulas were obtained for the nares-to-epiglottis distance (cm)=2.606+0.058×height (cm)+0.231×the nares-to-mandible distance (cm)-0.304 (gender) (r(2)=0.754) and for the nares-to-vocal cords distance (cm)=4.947+0.06×height (cm)+0.228×nares-to-mandible distance (cm)-0.283 (gender) (r(2)=0.803).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nares-to-epiglottis and nares-to-vocal cords distances can be predicted using the height and the nares-to-mandible distance in young children.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinical Research Information Service KCT0000150.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine,  University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul,  Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Suk
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D001837:Body Weights and Measures / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004825:Epiglottis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000033:anatomy & histology*