A COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT BEDSIDE TECHNIQUES OF DETERMINING ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE MALPOSITION

Abstract

Background: Endotracheal tube (ETT) malpositionis common but rapid identification of exact positionof the tube is difficult at the bedside.Aim: To compare six different potential bedsideindicators of ETT malposition in a piglet model ofneonatal lung injury.Methods: Six anaesthetised and muscle-relaxedpiglets with saline lavaged surfactant-deficientlungs (AaDO2>350mmHg in FIO21.0) conventionallyventilated were studied. Transient periods (30-120s)of ventilation with the ETT place in the oesophagusand a single main bronchus (MB) were comparedwith an appropriately placed ETT. During eachperiod, colorimetric end-tidal CO2(Pedi-Cap®), flowat the airway opening (Florian), global/regional lungvolume..