Nasotracheal intubation in pediatrics: a narrative review

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.

Air leakage due to the cuff hanging on the vocal cords during nasotracheal intubation: a case report

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™, Preformed Tracheal Tube, Smith Medical, Inc., USA) did not cause air leakage; thus, we reported this case.

Nasal/orotracheal tube switch to reduce length of mechanical ventilation in neurocritical patients: A propensity score matched analysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Nasotracheal intubation was advocated to increase patients comfort and tube tolerance, but no study showed a clear benefit of nasotracheal intubation over orotracheal intubation. Neurocritically ill patients are a fragile group with specific requirements regarding ventilation and sedation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether nasotracheal intubation might reduce length of mechanical ventilation in neurocritically ill patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study with propensity matched analysis including all patients who underwent prolonged mechanical ventilation in the neurocritical Intensive Care Unit.

RESULTS

A total of 4030 patients were admitted during the period of interest and 312 entered the final analysis. Propensity score analysis identified 74 matched couples. Length of mechanical ventilation in patients who underwent early nasotracheal intubation resulted to be statistically significantly shorter than patients who underwent orotracheal intubation. Accordingly, length of sedation was significantly lower in patients with nasotracheal intubation, while no difference in complications occurred with similar length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

In critical care units using nasotracheal intubation in the standard management of patients, the nasotracheal route was associated with lesser need for sedatives leading to shorter mechanical ventilation in neurocritical patients. However, causality has to be proven by future randomized controlled trials.

Modified Retrograde Nasal Intubation: A New Airway Technique and Devices

Nasotracheal intubation remains an underused but invaluable technique for securely managing the airway during oral and maxillofacial surgery. In this article, we present a modified clinical technique that allows for the potential introduction into clinical practice of 2 new airway devices: a nasal laryngeal mask airway and an interchangeable oral/nasal endotracheal tube. We hypothesize that with the use of proper techniques, these devices can add new and safer alternatives for securing an airway by the nasal route. The advantage of this novel technique is that the airway is secured by the oral route prior to performing a modified retrograde nasal intubation, eliminating the danger of profuse epistaxis precipitating a "cannot intubate, cannot ventilate" scenario. In addition, the design and materials used in the components of the devices may minimize trauma. The authors aim to inform clinicians about the indications, physical characteristics, and insertion/removal techniques related to these new devices.

Retrograde intubation through nasal route in patients with limited mouth opening undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery

Background

Patients with limited mouth opening (LMO) often associated with difficult intubation. Retrograde intubation is an alternative technique of establishing definitive airway in these patients when blind nasal intubation fails and fiberoptic bronchoscope is not available. We tested the retrograde intubation through nasal route in patients with LMO less than 2 cm.

Materials and methods

The procedure was performed with some modification with regard to retrograde guide on 18 patients requiring maxillofacial surgical procedures to increase mouth opening. Indications for this technique were mandibular fracture (n = 6), oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF; n = 6), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis (n = 4) and internal derangement of TMJ (n = 2). All patients were assessed for preoperative interincisal opening; during intubation through specific parameters and; also postoperative findings were observed.

Results

Mean time taken for successful intubation was 5.6 min ± 1.66. One patient had subcutaneous emphysema which was managed conservatively. Postoperatively, four patients had sore throat which resolved in few days. No other complications were encountered.

Conclusion

In conclusion, retrograde nasotracheal intubation is an effective and useful technique for airway control in patients with LMO and with only a small risk potential.