title: Does body mass index predict tracheal airway size?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the relationship between body mass index along with other anthropomorphic variables as they relate to tracheal airway dimensions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a radiographic study of 123 consecutive hospitalized patients undergoing tracheotomy over a 4-year period (2007-2011). We measured airway dimensions in axial computed tomography imaging and made comparisons with height, weight, body mass index, gender, and age. Measurements were taken at the first tracheal ring level including anterior-posterior length, width, and calculated area. We expected higher body mass index not to be a good predictor of larger airway dimensions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The linear regression model showed body mass index was significantly inversely related to tracheal width after controlling for gender and age (P = .0389). For every 1 kg/m(2) increase in body mass index, the tracheal width decreased by 0.05 mm. There was a trend for airway area to diminish with increasing body mass index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results are consistent with the hypothesis that obese patients do not have larger airways. Our study indicated a trend toward smaller airways as body mass index increased. Specifically, as body mass index increases, tracheal width appears to decrease. This information should help medical professionals avoid the tendency to use a larger tube to secure the airway of an obese patient. Hopefully, this will result in further research into the field and may prevent future airway injuries in a society where obesity has become epidemic.
  
  
  METHODS
  4 Laryngoscope, 125:1093-1097, 2015.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: D'Anza
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: J Scott
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014140:Tracheotomy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Tracheal airway size; endotracheal tube size; obesity