Morphometric Study on the Anatomy of the Fetal Cricoid Cartilage and Comparison between its Inner Diameter and Endotracheal Tube Sizes

Morphometric Study on the Anatomy of the Fetal Cricoid Cartilage and Comparison between its Inner Diameter and Endotracheal Tube Sizes

Objectives: The high incidence of respiratory disorders is one of the main problems in perinatal medical care. With the increased use of intubation, the incidence of laryngeal injury causing stenosis has also increased. The principal constriction point in the infant's larynx is the midcricoid a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology Vol. 117; no. 10; pp. 774 - 780
Main Authors: Lima, Leila F. R., Nita, Luciana M., Campelo, Victor E. S., Imamura, Rui, Tsuji, Domingos H.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-10-2008
Annals Publishing Compagny
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cadaver
Cricoid Cartilage - anatomy & histology
Cricoid Cartilage - growth & development
Diseases of mother, fetus and pregnancy
Female
Gestational Age
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Male
Medical sciences
Organ Size
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta
Trachea - anatomy & histology
Trachea - growth & development
cricoid cartilage
larynx
growth
neonate
prematurity
orotracheal intubation
Human
Tube
Cricoid cartilage
Growth
Size
ENT
Anatomy
Newborn
Prematurity
Larynx
Intubation
Trachea
Diameter
Comparative study
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Summary:Objectives: The high incidence of respiratory disorders is one of the main problems in perinatal medical care. With the increased use of intubation, the incidence of laryngeal injury causing stenosis has also increased. The principal constriction point in the infant's larynx is the midcricoid area. We sought to provide detailed morphometric data on the anatomy of the cricoid cartilage and its relationship with growth and body characteristics of fetuses at 5 to 9 months of gestational age. Methods: Nineteen larynges obtained from 17 stillborn infants and 2 newborn infants ranging in gestational age from 5 to 9 months were studied. Measurements of the cricoid cartilage were made with a millimeter-graded caliper. Results: Weight was the variable most correlated with cricoid measurements. The cricoid lumen configuration showed an almost elliptic shape and did not change with gestational age. The mean inner subglottic cricoid area was 19.27 ± 9.62 mm2 and was related to weight and body surface area. Cricoid growth was more pronounced at the outer portion of the cartilage. Conclusions: The cricoid lumen configuration was elliptic, and its mean area was smaller than that of available endotracheal tubes. This lumen area was most influenced by weight and height.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0003-4894
1943-572X
DOI:10.1177/000348940811701013