Abstract

COMPARISON OF THE SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF DIFFERENT TESTS TO DETERMINE DIFFICULT INTUBATION

*Javaher Foroosh Zadeh F and Safaii Sara

Abstract

Back ground: Difficult intubation is variably predicted by different tests. In this study we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of four airway examination tests including: Mallampati, Thyro-mental distance, ULBT(Upper Lip Bite Test), and Inter incisicor gap for predicting difficult tracheal intubation. Methods: Total of 448 patients with a mean age of 53.5 years were enrolled. Preoperative airway assessment of patients by Mallampati test, Thyro mental distance measurement, ULBT and Inter incisor gap were done. All patients were anesthetized and intubation grade was assessed by experienced anesthesiologist according to Cormack-Lehan classification. Degree of observed difficulty of intubation was compared to predicted values. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Data were analysis by using Fishers exact and McNemar's test, and a P value

Keywords: Difficult intubation, Mallampati, Thyro-mental Distance, Inter incisor gap, Upper Lip Bite Test.