title: Laryngeal air column width ratio in predicting post extubation stridor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Correlation of upper air column width ratio in postextubation stridor patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital between January and December 2013. Patients who were admitted in Intensive Care Unit and intubated for >24 h were included (72 patients). The upper airway air column width ratio (air column width before extubation/air column width after intubation) was calculated and compared in patient with or without postextubation stridor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of stridor was 6.9% (5/72). The duration of mechanical ventilation was 5.60 ± 1.14 days and 3.91 ± 1.45 days in stridor and nonstridor group respectively. In all 5 patients who had stridor, the upper airway air column width ratio was 0.8 or less.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Air column width ratio of 0.8 or less may be helpful in predicting postextubation stridor, which should be confirmed by large observational studies.
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Yashoda Multi-Speciality Hospital, Shantishikara Apartments, D4, #124, Bedind Enadu Bld, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, India.
authors: Pradeep M
authors: PM
authors: Venkategowda
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Yashoda Multi-Speciality Hospital, Shantishikara Apartments, D4, #124, Bedind Enadu Bld, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, India.
authors: Kranthi
authors: K
authors: Mahendrakar
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Yashoda Multi-Speciality Hospital, Shantishikara Apartments, D4, #124, Bedind Enadu Bld, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, India.
authors: S Manimala
authors: SM
authors: Rao
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Yashoda Multi-Speciality Hospital, Shantishikara Apartments, D4, #124, Bedind Enadu Bld, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, India.
authors: Dnyaneshwar P
authors: DP
authors: Mutkule
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Yashoda Multi-Speciality Hospital, Shantishikara Apartments, D4, #124, Bedind Enadu Bld, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, India.
authors: Chetan G
authors: CG
authors: Shirodkar
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Yashoda Multi-Speciality Hospital, Shantishikara Apartments, D4, #124, Bedind Enadu Bld, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, India.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Yogesh
keywords: Air column width; cricothyroid membrane; cuff leak test; postextubation stridor; ultrasound