Fibre-optic assessment of tracheal tube position. A comparison of tracheal tube position as estimated by fibre-optic bronchoscopy and by chest X-ray.

The distance between the tip of a tracheal tube and the carina was measured in twenty five patients who required tracheal intubation and artificial ventilation of the lungs. Two methods of evaluation of this distance--limited-optic bronchoscopy and chest X-ray--were compared. There was no significant difference between the distance measured by either method. The advantages of checking tracheal tube placement by fibre-optic bronchoscopy are discussed.