The Tracheal Accordion: A Review of Patient and Clinical Factors Affecting the Length of the Human Trachea - Abstract
The length of the human trachea in both awa-e and anesthetized and paralyzed patients is a critical consideration in preventing both endobronchial intubation and tracheal extubation. It is clear from the literature that with the dynamic clinical changes that occur under anesthesia, including the assumption of the supine position, head and nec- flexion and extension, pneumoperitoneum, and Trendelenburg positioning, the
trachea acts as an accordion decreasing and increasing its length. -nowledge of the magnitude of the change in tracheal dimensions in response to these factors is an important clinical consideration.