Background: Accurate knowledge of the mainstem bronchial lengths is essential in order to prevent malpositioning of the double lumen endobronchial tubes (DLT). It is believed that the lengths of the left and right mainstem bronchi measured by CT are more accurate than those measured using a fiberoptic bronchoscope. This study evaluated the length of the mainstem bronchus using a CT scan in Korean adults.

METHODS: One hundred twenty patients who underwent a chest CT scan without any anatomical changes due to a mass or inflammation were examined. Airway imaging with a minimum intensity projection of the oblique coronal section using multidetector CT was obtained and the lengths of the left and right mainstem bronchi were measured.

Results: The lengths of the left mainstem bronchus of the males and females were 49.2 ± 4.8 mm and 44.6 ± 3.9 mm respectively, and the right mainstem bronchus of the males and females were 21.0 ± 4.8 mm and 18.0 ± 4.0 mm, respectively. There was no linear correlation between the height of the patients and the length of the left and right mainstem bronchi.

CONCLUSIONS: These results provide reference data to help determine the precise margin of safety using a double lumen endobronchial tube for thoracic surgery.