OBJECTIVES: The age-based Cole formula has been employed for the estimation of endotracheal tube (ETT) size due to its ease of use, but may not appropriately consider growth rates among children. Child growth is assessed by calculating the body surface area (BSA). The association between the outer diameter of an appropriate uncuffed-endotracheal-tube (ETT-OD) and the BSA values of patients at 24–96 months of age was our primary outcome. METHODS: Cole formula, BSA, age, height, weight and ultrasound measurement of subglottic-transverse-diameter were evaluated for correlations with correct uncuffed ETT-OD. The Cole formula, BSA, and ultrasound measurements were analyzed for estimation rates in all patients and age subgroups. The maximum allowed error for the estimation of ETT-OD was ≤0.3 mm. Patients' tracheas were intubated with tubes chosen by Cole formula and correct ETT-OD values were determined using leak test. ETT exchange rates were recorded. RESULTS: One-hundred twenty-seven patients were analyzed for the determination of estimation rates. Thirteen patients aged ≥72 months were intubated with cuffed ETT-OD of 8.4 mm and were accepted to need uncuffed ETT-OD >8.4 mm in order to be included in estimation rates, but excluded from correlations for size analysis. One-hundred fourteen patients were analyzed for correlations between correct ETT-OD (determined by the leak test) and outcome parameters. Cole formula, ultrasonography, and BSA had similar correct estimation rates. All three parameters had higher underestimation rates as age increased. CONCLUSION: The Cole formula, BSA, and ultrasonography had similar estimation rates in patients aged ≥24 to ≤96 months. BSA had a correct estimation rate of 40.2% and may not be reliable in clinical practice to predict uncuffed-ETT-size.
Body Surface Area* ; Child* ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Pediatrics ; Trachea ; Ultrasonography

Objectives: The requirement for overnight hospital stay should be considered preoperatively according to patient-related factors, type of surgery, and anesthetic management plan. In this study, we aimed to define the major factors that influence consideration of overnight hospital stay in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgery in an operating room (OR) of a dental hospital in an outpatient setting. Materials and Methods: The records of patients who underwent oral procedures under general anesthesia between 2014-2017 were reviewed. Results: A total of 821 patients underwent oral procedures under general anesthesia; 631 of them underwent OMF surgery in the OR of a dental hospital, and 174 of these patients were hospitalized for overnight stay. There was no significant difference in the number of patients with comorbidities between the outpatient and hospitalized patient groups (P=0.389). The duration of surgery was longer in the hospitalized patient group (105.25±57.48 vs 189.62±82.03 minutes; P<0.001). Double-jaw (n=15; 310.00±54.21 minutes) and iliac crest grafting surgeries (n=59; 211.86±61.02 minutes) had the longest durations. Patients who underwent iliac crest grafting had the highest rates of hospitalization (79%). The overall recovery period was longer in outpatients (119.40±41.60 vs 149.83±52.04; P<0.001). Conclusion Duration of surgery was the main determinant in considering whether a patient required overnight hospital stay. However, patients with an American Society of Anesthesiology physical status score <3 may be scheduled for OMF surgery in the OR of a dental hospital in an outpatient setting regardless of duration of surgery if overnight hospital stay is planned or an extended recovery period is provided until patients meet the discharge criteria.