The lengths of trachea and main bronchus in Chinese Shanghai population

The knowledge of airway length is the theoretical basis in the diagnosis and management of airway disease. The objective of this study is to measure the length of trachea and left and right main bronchus in Chinese Shanghai population. A total of 153 consecutive adult patients with minor pulmonary disease in Xinhua hospital were enrolled for bronchoscopy examination. Measurements were conducted on head and neck neutral position and height, weight and age for each patient were recorded either. Student t test and multiple linear regression was used to compare means between males and females and to analyze correlation among height, weight, sexual dimorphism and the lengths of the trachea and bronchus. The lengths of the trachea and left main bronchus are significantly different between male and female patients (P < 0.01), but not for the lengths of right main bronchus between man and woman. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that height but not sexual dimorphism and weight correlated with the lengths of the trachea and right main bronchus. The lengths of the trachea and left main bronchus are significantly longer in males than in females. Moreover, height but not sexual dimorphism and weight influenced the length of airway.