Background and objectiveThe primary responsibility of the anesthesiologist is to provide adequate oxygenation and ventilation to the patient by securing the airway. Prediction of Cormack-Lehane (CL) grading preoperatively helps patients' airway management during anesthesia induction, particularly in difficult intubations. Our study aims to evaluate airway assessment modalities using ultrasound and conventional clinical screening methods for predicting difficult laryngoscopy and intubation.
Materials and methodsThis prospective observational study was conducted on 100 patients aged between 18 and 70 years belonging to ASA classes I, II, and III scheduled for elective surgery requiring general anesthesia under endotracheal intubation was included in the study. Patients who needed rapid sequence induction and had a history of difficult intubation, obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40, patients with notable swelling in the neck region (thyroid), pregnant patients, and patients with maxillofacial anomalies were excluded from the study. Clinical parameters such as body mass index, neck circumference, modified Mallampati grading, thyromental distance, and ultrasound parameters such as anterior neck soft tissue thickness at the level of the thyrohyoid membrane (ANS-TM) and anterior neck soft tissue thickness at the level of vocal cord (ANS-VC) were obtained preoperatively. After intubation, the CL grading was noted and categorized into two groups: easy (classes 1 and 2) and difficult (classes 3 and 4). Descriptive statistics included frequency and percentage for categorical variables and mean±standard deviation for continuous variables. The chi-square test was applied to find the relationship between easy and difficult laryngoscopy when compared with the outcome for categorical variables. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant throughout the study. The receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC curve) was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity to predict the outcomes.
ResultsUltrasound-guided measurements of ANS-TM and ANS-VC are independent predictors of difficult laryngoscopy compared with clinical screening tests. Of the two parameters, we found that ANS-TM has a better diagnostic value for predicting a difficult airway with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 91% compared with ANS-VC, which has an AUC of 84%. Of the clinical parameters, the modified Mallampati grading has an AUC of 81%, leading to better diagnostic value in the prediction of a difficult airway.
ConclusionOur study demonstrated that ANS-TM and ANS-VC are independent predictors of a difficult airway. ANS-TM has a better correlation with CL grading. Clinical screening tests should be combined with ultrasound measurements to aid in the better prediction of difficult laryngoscopy.
Ebstein’s anomaly is a congenital malformation of the tricuspid valve with myopathy of the right ventricle leading to dilatation and atrialisation of the right ventricle, with varying degrees of malformation along with restriction of diastolic filling of ventricles. Disease severity in Ebstein’s anomaly can range from asymptomatic patients to severe debilitating disease. These patients are at increased risk of developing ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia, congestive cardiac failure and death. This case report is about a 37-year-old female with Ebstein’s anomaly who presented with atrial fibrillation and right-sided heart failure. She successfully underwent total thyroidectomy under cervical epidural anaesthesia.
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