Comparative study of airway assessment tests to predict difficult laryngoscopy & intubation

Introduction: Prediction of potentially difficult airway management during pre-operative period is determined by anatomy of oropharynx & range of movement of neck, clinically evaluated by various tests like Modified Mallampati Test, Upper Lip BiteTest, Thyromental Distance, ratio of Height to thyromental distance etc. We performed a study to compare significant direct relationship between MMT, ULBT, TMD, RHTMD & Cormack-Lehane (C-L) scale. Aims and Objective: 1) To elucidate the role of MMT, ULBT, TMD and RHTMD as simple bedside airway predictive tests & to study their direct correlation with difficult laryngoscopic view, using C-L grading. 2) To compare their ability to predict difficult laryngoscopy in various combinations. Materials and Methods: Type of study - prospective, observational & single blind. Sample Size: 450, 20-60 years, male/female, ASA I/II. Pre-operatively anaesthesiologist not involved in intubation evaluated & assessed ULBT, MMT & TMD in sitting position. Patient induced & laryngoscopy performed with Macintosh blade No.3 in sniffing position & laryngoscopic view determined by C-L grading. Result: On comparing CL-grading with other tests such as MMT, ULBT, TMD & RH MD in assessing difficult intubation, it was observed that there was statistically significant association with p <0> Conclusion: We conclude that no single airway predictor test is sufficient for predicting difficult intubation. So, a combination of two or more airway predictor tests may predict difficult airway better.