UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Pediatrics

Title: ETT Depth of Insertion

Keywords: Pediatric Intubation (PubMed Search)

Posted: 8/15/2008 by Don Van Wie, DO (Updated: 4/19/2024)
Click here to contact Don Van Wie, DO

In the rush of adrenaline that goes hand in hand with a pediatric intubation often the ETT tip can sometimes be coming out of the little guys toes after passing successfully through the vocal cords, so remember once you get it in and confirm with end-title CO2 detection (capnography or on a monitor) always remember:

Depth of insertion (cm at lip) = 3 x  normal size of ETT

Start at this depth, auscultate bilaterally in the axilla to listen for equal breath sounds, and look for equal chest rise.  If all are good then secure tube and get your chest xray.