JOMPAC
Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care

Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care (JOMPAC) is an open access scientific journal with independent, unbiased, and double-blind review under international guidelines. The purpose of JOMPAC is to contribute to the literature by publishing articles on health sciences and medicine.

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Original Article
Comparison of endotracheal tube selection using age-based formulas across body-mass index groups in pediatric patients undergoing nasal intubation for dental treatment under general anesthesia
Abstract
Aims: Accurate endotracheal tube (ETT) selection is essential for pediatric nasal intubation, especially when using age-based predictive formulas. The modified Motoyama formula, which adjusts for nasal intubation by selecting a slightly smaller internal diameter and adding length to depth, is commonly used. However, its accuracy across different body-mass index (BMI) groups remains uncertain. Methods: This retrospective study included 677 pediatric patients aged 2–10 years who underwent nasal intubation for dental procedures under general anesthesia. Actual ETT internal diameters and insertion depths were compared with values predicted by the modified Motoyama formula. Patients were stratified by BMI percentile into four groups. Statistical comparisons and Bland–Altman analyses were performed to evaluate prediction accuracy and agreement. Results: The median ETT diameter (4.5 mm) closely matched the modified Motoyama estimate (4.25 mm; p=0.054), while the modified Motoyama formula significantly overestimated ETT insertion depth (actual: 15.5 cm vs. predicted: 16.5 cm), with a median difference of –1.5 cm (IQR: –3.0 to 0.0; p

Keywords : Pediatric airway management, endotracheal tube sizing, Motoyama formula, body-mass index, nasal intubation

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Article available in :
Volume 7, Issue 2, 2026
Page : 249-254
https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1862977
Article Information
Received : 13 Oca 2026
Accepted : 25 Şub 2026
Published : 27 Mar 2026
Corresponding Author :

Hande Güngör Danışan: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul Medipol University, İstanbul, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Güngör H, İnce A, Yıldız S, Uludağ Yanaral T. Comparison of endotracheal tube selection using age-based formulas across body-mass index groups in pediatric patients undergoing nasal intubation for dental treatment under general anesthesia. J Med Palliat Care. 2026;7(2):249-254. doi:10.47582/jompac.1862977

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