Purpose: Tracheostomy is a procedure which requires careful selection of tracheostomy tube size, because it can significantly impact patient outcomes. However, in situations where radiological imaging is unavailable for measuring the tracheal inner diameter (ID), it can be estimated using the patient's height, weight, and sex. This study aimed to develop a method for estimating tracheal ID. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 468 adult patients who underwent chest computed tomography and chest X-ray at the National Medical Center from 2019 to 2021. Tracheal ID at the level of the jugular notch was measured and cross-checked. The correlation of the patient's body size and sex was then checked with tracheal ID and a regression equation was obtained to estimate tracheal ID. Results: Height showed the greatest correlation with tracheal ID, followed by either ideal body weight (IBW) or adjusted body weight (ABW). The regression equation to estimate tracheal ID was as follows: “Expected ID of the trachea (mm)” = [11.0781 + (1.9682 for Male or 1 for Female)] + [7.3767 × height (cm)] - {0.8022 × [√ IBW (kg) for healthy weight or ABW (kg) for obese]}. The equation was applied to determine appropriate tracheostomy tube sizes. Conclusion Tracheal ID can be estimated using patient sex, height, and either IBW or ABW. By providing a practical method for estimating tracheal ID, the derived regression equation can serve as a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in emergency situations, which may reduce tracheostomy complication rates and deliver better patient outcomes.

Objective: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with anterior plating is a commonly performed procedure for cervical disc diseases. While the clinical outcomes of most reported multilevel ACDF cases are excellent, symptomatic pseudarthrosis remains a challenge, often requiring revision surgeries. This study aims to present the radiological characteristics of multilevel ACDF constructs, which can be considered during intraoperative management to prevent pseudarthrosis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent multilevel (3 or 4 levels) ACDF with anterior plating between June 2010 and August 2022. Patients were regularly followed at 4 months, 12 months, and then annually postoperation. Fusion rates and characteristic radiological patterns, such as the formation of bony buttresses underneath the anterior plate, were graded and evaluated. Results: A total of 163 patients were included in the study. Overall fusion rates were 26.38%, 64.34%, and 81.58% at 4-month, 1-year, and the final follow-up, respectively. Nonunions at 4-month follow-up with tightly engaged anterior plate with bony buttress formation were more likely to fuse in the later period (Buttress grade 0 vs. 1; p=0.01, odds ratio [OR], 5.70, Buttress grade 1 vs. >2; p<0.01, OR, 12.00). Conclusion This study emphasizes the significance of pseudarthrosis following multilevel ACDF. Pseudarthrosis predominantly occurs in the caudal-most segment of the construct, particularly when it terminates at C7. Constructs that are not tightly engaged and lack bony buttress formation in the caudal part of multilevel ACDF are more likely to develop pseudarthrosis.

Objective: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with anterior plating is a commonly performed procedure for cervical disc diseases. While the clinical outcomes of most reported multilevel ACDF cases are excellent, symptomatic pseudarthrosis remains a challenge, often requiring revision surgeries. This study aims to present the radiological characteristics of multilevel ACDF constructs, which can be considered during intraoperative management to prevent pseudarthrosis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent multilevel (3 or 4 levels) ACDF with anterior plating between June 2010 and August 2022. Patients were regularly followed at 4 months, 12 months, and then annually postoperation. Fusion rates and characteristic radiological patterns, such as the formation of bony buttresses underneath the anterior plate, were graded and evaluated. Results: A total of 163 patients were included in the study. Overall fusion rates were 26.38%, 64.34%, and 81.58% at 4-month, 1-year, and the final follow-up, respectively. Nonunions at 4-month follow-up with tightly engaged anterior plate with bony buttress formation were more likely to fuse in the later period (Buttress grade 0 vs. 1; p=0.01, odds ratio [OR], 5.70, Buttress grade 1 vs. >2; p<0.01, OR, 12.00). Conclusion This study emphasizes the significance of pseudarthrosis following multilevel ACDF. Pseudarthrosis predominantly occurs in the caudal-most segment of the construct, particularly when it terminates at C7. Constructs that are not tightly engaged and lack bony buttress formation in the caudal part of multilevel ACDF are more likely to develop pseudarthrosis.

Objective: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with anterior plating is a commonly performed procedure for cervical disc diseases. While the clinical outcomes of most reported multilevel ACDF cases are excellent, symptomatic pseudarthrosis remains a challenge, often requiring revision surgeries. This study aims to present the radiological characteristics of multilevel ACDF constructs, which can be considered during intraoperative management to prevent pseudarthrosis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent multilevel (3 or 4 levels) ACDF with anterior plating between June 2010 and August 2022. Patients were regularly followed at 4 months, 12 months, and then annually postoperation. Fusion rates and characteristic radiological patterns, such as the formation of bony buttresses underneath the anterior plate, were graded and evaluated. Results: A total of 163 patients were included in the study. Overall fusion rates were 26.38%, 64.34%, and 81.58% at 4-month, 1-year, and the final follow-up, respectively. Nonunions at 4-month follow-up with tightly engaged anterior plate with bony buttress formation were more likely to fuse in the later period (Buttress grade 0 vs. 1; p=0.01, odds ratio [OR], 5.70, Buttress grade 1 vs. >2; p<0.01, OR, 12.00). Conclusion This study emphasizes the significance of pseudarthrosis following multilevel ACDF. Pseudarthrosis predominantly occurs in the caudal-most segment of the construct, particularly when it terminates at C7. Constructs that are not tightly engaged and lack bony buttress formation in the caudal part of multilevel ACDF are more likely to develop pseudarthrosis.

Purpose: Tracheostomy is a procedure which requires careful selection of tracheostomy tube size, because it can significantly impact patient outcomes. However, in situations where radiological imaging is unavailable for measuring the tracheal inner diameter (ID), it can be estimated using the patient's height, weight, and sex. This study aimed to develop a method for estimating tracheal ID. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 468 adult patients who underwent chest computed tomography and chest X-ray at the National Medical Center from 2019 to 2021. Tracheal ID at the level of the jugular notch was measured and cross-checked. The correlation of the patient's body size and sex was then checked with tracheal ID and a regression equation was obtained to estimate tracheal ID. Results: Height showed the greatest correlation with tracheal ID, followed by either ideal body weight (IBW) or adjusted body weight (ABW). The regression equation to estimate tracheal ID was as follows: “Expected ID of the trachea (mm)” = [11.0781 + (1.9682 for Male or 1 for Female)] + [7.3767 × height (cm)] - {0.8022 × [√ IBW (kg) for healthy weight or ABW (kg) for obese]}. The equation was applied to determine appropriate tracheostomy tube sizes. Conclusion Tracheal ID can be estimated using patient sex, height, and either IBW or ABW. By providing a practical method for estimating tracheal ID, the derived regression equation can serve as a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in emergency situations, which may reduce tracheostomy complication rates and deliver better patient outcomes.

Objective: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with anterior plating is a commonly performed procedure for cervical disc diseases. While the clinical outcomes of most reported multilevel ACDF cases are excellent, symptomatic pseudarthrosis remains a challenge, often requiring revision surgeries. This study aims to present the radiological characteristics of multilevel ACDF constructs, which can be considered during intraoperative management to prevent pseudarthrosis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent multilevel (3 or 4 levels) ACDF with anterior plating between June 2010 and August 2022. Patients were regularly followed at 4 months, 12 months, and then annually postoperation. Fusion rates and characteristic radiological patterns, such as the formation of bony buttresses underneath the anterior plate, were graded and evaluated. Results: A total of 163 patients were included in the study. Overall fusion rates were 26.38%, 64.34%, and 81.58% at 4-month, 1-year, and the final follow-up, respectively. Nonunions at 4-month follow-up with tightly engaged anterior plate with bony buttress formation were more likely to fuse in the later period (Buttress grade 0 vs. 1; p=0.01, odds ratio [OR], 5.70, Buttress grade 1 vs. >2; p<0.01, OR, 12.00). Conclusion This study emphasizes the significance of pseudarthrosis following multilevel ACDF. Pseudarthrosis predominantly occurs in the caudal-most segment of the construct, particularly when it terminates at C7. Constructs that are not tightly engaged and lack bony buttress formation in the caudal part of multilevel ACDF are more likely to develop pseudarthrosis.

Purpose: Tracheostomy is a procedure which requires careful selection of tracheostomy tube size, because it can significantly impact patient outcomes. However, in situations where radiological imaging is unavailable for measuring the tracheal inner diameter (ID), it can be estimated using the patient's height, weight, and sex. This study aimed to develop a method for estimating tracheal ID. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 468 adult patients who underwent chest computed tomography and chest X-ray at the National Medical Center from 2019 to 2021. Tracheal ID at the level of the jugular notch was measured and cross-checked. The correlation of the patient's body size and sex was then checked with tracheal ID and a regression equation was obtained to estimate tracheal ID. Results: Height showed the greatest correlation with tracheal ID, followed by either ideal body weight (IBW) or adjusted body weight (ABW). The regression equation to estimate tracheal ID was as follows: “Expected ID of the trachea (mm)” = [11.0781 + (1.9682 for Male or 1 for Female)] + [7.3767 × height (cm)] - {0.8022 × [√ IBW (kg) for healthy weight or ABW (kg) for obese]}. The equation was applied to determine appropriate tracheostomy tube sizes. Conclusion Tracheal ID can be estimated using patient sex, height, and either IBW or ABW. By providing a practical method for estimating tracheal ID, the derived regression equation can serve as a valuable tool for healthcare professionals in emergency situations, which may reduce tracheostomy complication rates and deliver better patient outcomes.