• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.307-312
• /
• 2017

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the optimal depth of nasotracheal tube placement. Methods: We enrolled 110 patients scheduled to undergo oral and maxillofacial surgery, requiring nasotracheal intubation. After intubation, the depth of tube insertion was measured. The neck circumference and distances from nares to tragus, tragus to angle of the mandible, and angle of the mandible to sternal notch were measured. To estimate optimal tube depth, correlation and regression analyses were performed using clinical and anthropometric parameters. Results: The mean tube depth was $28.9{\pm}1.3cm$ in men (n = 62), and $26.6{\pm}1.5cm$ in women (n = 48). Tube depth significantly correlated with height (r = 0.735, P < 0.001). Distances from nares to tragus, tragus to angle of the mandible, and angle of the mandible to sternal notch correlated with depth of the endotracheal tube (r = 0.363, r = 0.362, and r = 0.546, P < 0.05). The tube depth also correlated with the sum of these distances (r = 0.646, P < 0.001). We devised the following formula for estimating tube depth: $19.856+0.267{\times}sum$ of the three distances ($R^2=0.432$, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The optimal tube depth for nasotracheally intubated adult patients correlated with height and sum of the distances from nares to tragus, tragus to angle of the mandible, and angle of the mandible to sternal notch. The proposed equation would be a useful guide to determine optimal nasotracheal tube placement.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
• /
• v.5 no.2 s.9
• /
• pp.107-111
• /
• 2005

Background: Nasotracheal intubation for general anesthesia is preferred for many oral and maxillofacial procedures because it ensures unhindered access to the operative site. Epistaxis and tube insertion failures are recognized complications of nasotracheal intubation. The aim of our study was to elucidate whether the nostril side used influenced epistaxis and insertion failure incidence. Methods: We studied 434 patients undergoing nasal intubation (July 2004- February 2005) with permission. Randomly, one side of nostril was selected with chart ID number. During nasotracheal intubation, epistaxis severity and tube insertion failure was observed by the anesthesiologist who inserted nasotracheal tube. Results: There was no significant difference between either nostril in epistaxis severity (chi-square test P = 0.860) and in the incidence of insertion failure (P = 0.867). Conclusions: In this study, both nostrils showed equal epistaxis and insertion failure incidence.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2007

Background: It is well known that nasotracheal intubation is comfort for patient compared to oral intubation. We sometimes delay extubation when it is thought that the patient can not maintain airway, or there may be other emergency associated with airway. And we sometimes experience complaint of discomfort of nasotracheal tube. But, we could not find any report on degree of discomfort of delayed nasotracheal intubation. Methods: Eighteen patients in whom extubation of nasotraceal tube was delayed after operation because of difficulties of airway mamagement were selected. We surveyed the discomfort of nasotracheal tube with 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (VAS) and compared with the pain of operation site (VAS). Result: The VAS of nasotracheal intubation was $6.7{\pm}3.4$, and VAS of the primary operation site was $3.5{\pm}2.4$, and VAS of flap harvest site was $5.5{\pm}2.7$. 10 of the patients complained of nasotracheal suction extremely and 6 patients complained of respiratory difficulties. Conclusions: Nasotracheal intubation was discomfort and there must be intervention.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.101-103
• /
• 2015

In oral and maxillofacial surgery, many complications associated with nasotracheal tube can be caused. In this case, we reported ballooning tube damage of nasotracheal tube during orthognathic double-jaw surgery and replacement of tube through cut down of tube and tube exchange using airway exchange catheter. The patient scheduled for high Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy was intubated nasotracheally with nasal endotracheal tube. During maxilla osteotomy, air bubble was detected in the oral blood. In spite of our repeated ballooning, the results were the same so we changed damaged tube using airway exchange catheter aseptically. Tiny and superficial cutting site was detected in the middle of pilot tube. As we know in our case, tiny injury impeded a normal airway management and prevention is important.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 2016

Background: One nostril must be selected for nasotracheal intubation. In some cases, structural anomalies within the nasal cavity hinder the insertion of the tube or complications, such as epistaxis, develop. This study examined the possibility of using radiography to select the nostril that would induce fewer complications. Methods: Four hundred and five patients who underwent nasotracheal intubation under general anesthesia were studied. A 7.0-mm internal diameter nasal right angle endotracheal (RAE) tube and 6.5-mm internal diameter nasal RAE tube were inserted into men and women, respectively. Complications were considered to have developed in cases in which insertion of the tube into the nasal cavity failed or epistaxis occurred. The tube was inserted into the other nostril for insertion failures and hemostasis was performed in cases of epistaxis. The degree of nasal septal deviation was determined from posteroanterior skull radiographs or panoramic radiographs; the incidence of complications was compared depending on the direction of the septal deviation and the intubated nostril. Results: The radiographs of 390 patients were readable; 94 had nasal septum deviation. The incidence of complications for cases without nasal septum deviation was 16.9%, that for cases in which the tube was inserted into the nostril on the opposite side of the deviation was 18.5%, and that for cases in which the tube was inserted into the nostril with the deviation was 35.0%, showing a high incidence of complications when intubation is performed through the nostril with septum deviation (chi-square test, P < 0.05 ). Conclusions: Although there were no differences in the incidence rates of complications between intubation through the left nostril and that through the right nostril, radiological findings indicated that incidence of complications significantly increased when the tube was inserted into the nostril with the septum deviation.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.39-43
• /
• 2023

Nasotracheal intubation is commonly performed under general anesthesia in oral and maxillofacial surgery. For the convenience of surgery, nasal Ring-Adair-Elwyn (RAE) tubes are mainly used. Because the nasal RAE tubes were bent in an "L" shape, the insertion depth was limited. Particularly, it is necessary to accurately determine the appropriate depth of the RAE tubes in children. Several types of nasal RAE tubes are used in the medical market, which vary in material and length. We performed endotracheal intubation using a nasal RAE tube for double-jaw surgery, but air leakage persisted even when the air pressure in the cuff was increased. When checked with a laryngoscope, it was confirmed that the tube was pushed out, and the cuff was caught on the vocal cords, causing air leakage. Since inserting the tube deeply did not solve the problem, replacing it with a nasal RAE tube (Polar^TM, Preformed Tracheal Tube, Smith Medical, Inc., USA) did not cause air leakage; thus, we reported this case.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
• /
• v.1 no.1 s.1
• /
• pp.10-15
• /
• 2001

Background: This prospective study was designed to compare the cardiovascular response to endotracheal insertion of either an orotracheal tube or a nasotracheal tube Methods: 120 ASA physical status I and II surgical patients requiring general anesthesia and tracheal intubation were studied and assigned to two groups: orotracheal intubation group (n = 60) and nasotracheal intubation group (n = 60). Patients were premedicated with midazolam 0.05 mg/kg and glycopyrrolate 0.005 mg/kg intramuscularly and anesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg and succinylcholine 0.1 mg/kg intravenously. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP). mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were assessed noninvasively before induction of anesthesia and immediately after intubation, 1 min, 2 min, 3 min, and 5 min after intubation. Results: Cardiovascular responses such as SBP, DBP, MAP and HR were similar for both techniques and no significant differences between two groups were observed until 5 min after intubation. Conclusions: In healthy ASA I and II patients with normal blood pressure, induction doses of thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg and succinylcholine 0.1 mg/kg didn't attenuated the cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Insertion of an endotracheal tube may be the most invasive stimulus during intubation procedures. (JKDSA 2001; 1: 10-15)

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.81-90
• /
• 2024

Nasotracheal intubation (NTI) plays an important role in pediatric airway management, offering advantages in specific situations, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery and situations requiring stable tube positioning. However, compared to adults, NTI in children presents unique challenges owing to anatomical differences and limited space. This limited space, in combination with a large tongue and short mandible, along with large tonsils and adenoids, can complicate intubation. Owing to the short tracheal length in pediatric patients, it is crucial to place the tube at the correct depth to prevent it from being displaced due to neck movements, and causing injury to the glottis. The equipment used for NTI includes different tube types, direct laryngoscopy vs. video laryngoscopy, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Considering pediatric anatomy, the advantages of video laryngoscopy have been questioned. Studies comparing different techniques have provided insights into their efficacy. Determining the appropriate size and depth of nasotracheal tubes for pediatric patients remains a challenge. Various formulas based on age, weight, and height have been explored, including the recommendation of depth-mark-based NTI. This review provides a comprehensive overview of NTI in pediatric patients, including the relevant anatomy, equipment, clinical judgment, and possible complications.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.361-366
• /
• 2024

Orthognathic surgery often requires intraoral orthodontic appliances that are fixed directly to the bone, which can complicate nasotracheal intubation if the devices protrude into the nasal cavity. This case report describes a 19-year-old man scheduled for elective orthognathic surgery who experienced recurrent cuff tears of the endotracheal tube during nasotracheal intubation due to protruding orthodontic screws in the palate. Despite initial attempts at nasotracheal intubation through the left nostril, the cuff of the 7.0 mm internal diameter (ID) Ring, Adair & Elwyn (RAE) tube repeatedly ruptured, with identical rupture patterns observed. Facial CT revealed that the orthodontic screws had protruded into both nasal cavities with significant visibility in the sagittal, coronal, and transverse views. Fiberoptic examination of the left nasal passage identified a firm protrusion below the inferior turbinate, corresponding to the location of the screw, which likely caused the cuff tears. Intubation was successfully performed via the right nostril during the fiberoptic examination. This case highlights the critical importance of evaluating intraoral corrective devices using comprehensive craniofacial imaging before anesthesia induction, as well as conducting fiberoptic examinations during intubation to avoid complications and ensure patient safety.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.1-17
• /
• 2024

The video laryngoscope is a novel instrument for intubation that enables indirect visualization of the upper airway. It is recognized for its ability to enhance Cormack-Lehane grades in the management of difficult airways. Notably, video laryngoscopy is associated with equal or higher rates of intubation success within a shorter time frame than direct laryngoscopy. Video laryngoscopy facilitates faster and easier visualization of the glottis and reduces the need for Magill forceps, thereby shortening the intubation time. Despite the advanced glottic visualization afforded by video laryngoscopy, nasotracheal tube insertion and advancement occasionally fail. This is particularly evident during nasotracheal intubation, where oropharyngeal blood or secretions may obstruct the visual field on the monitor, thereby complicating video laryngoscopy. Moreover, the use of Magill forceps is markedly challenging or nearly unfeasible in this context, especially in pediatric cases. Furthermore, the substantial blade size of video laryngoscopes may restrict their applicability in individuals with limited oral apertures. This study aimed to review the literature on video laryngoscopy, discuss its clinical role in nasotracheal intubation, and address the challenges that anesthesiologists may encounter during the intubation process.