Using Middle Fingertip to Rascette Line Measurement as a Novel Approach in Determining the Endotracheal Tube Depth for Filipinos: A Pilot Study
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Keywords

Middle fingertip
middle fingertip to Rascette line measurement
orotracheal intubation
Rascette line or wrist line

How to Cite

Using Middle Fingertip to Rascette Line Measurement as a Novel Approach in Determining the Endotracheal Tube Depth for Filipinos: A Pilot Study. (2024). WVSU Research Journal, 13(1), 20-29. https://doi.org/10.59460/wvsurjvol13iss1pp20-29

Abstract

The fundamental responsibility of an anesthesiologist is to establish airway patency during general anesthesia to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Incorrect placement of the endotracheal tube, over or under-insertion, is associated with serious complications. Determining the correct depth of the endotracheal tube is crucial and should be individualized. This study aims to determine if middle fingertip (MFT) to Rascette line (RL) or “wrist line” measurement correlates with acceptable endotracheal tube (ET) depth during orotracheal intubation. This was a prospective, analytical cross-sectional pilot study design. The measured distance from the MFT to RL (cm) of each patient corresponds to predetermined ET depth. After intubation, a chest xray was performed to measure the distance of the ET tip from the carina. The average MFT to RL measurement for Filipinos was 18.79cm (± 1.08) with a mean value of 19.81cm (± 0.99) in males and 18.28cm (± 0.70) in females. Utilizing the MFT to RL measurement, the overall mean distance of the ET tip from the carina was 3.17cm (±1.25), 2.91cm (±1.22) in females, and 3.66cm (±1.36) in males. This was within the acceptable distance of 2-5cm to ensure safe ET placement in the trachea. Out of 54 patients, 85.19% had ET tips 2-5cm away from the carina and 96.29% with ET tips positioned ≥1cm above the carina. In conclusion, MFT to RL measurement is an acceptable technique to determine endotracheal tube depth during orotracheal intubation and estimate correct ET placement in the trachea.

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