An orotracheal tube is being inserted in an adult woman of average height. To place the midpoint of the cuff just below the vocal cords, the tube should be secured at approximately what depth at the incisors?
- A 17 cm
- B 19 cm
- C 21 cm ✓
- D 25 cm
Correct answer: C. 21 cm
Explanation
Standard depths are 21 cm at the incisors for adult women and 23 cm for adult men, placing the cuff just below the cords while keeping the tip in mid-trachea. Depth can also be estimated as height divided by 10 plus 5 cm. At 17 to 19 cm the cuff sits at or above the glottis risking cuff herniation through the cords, and at 25 cm endobronchial intubation becomes likely in most adults.
Reference: Morgan and Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.