Tracheal Diamater Measurement, Tracheal Intubation, Elective Surgery, Ultrasound Evaluation of Airway
Conditions
Keywords
ultrasound, airway, epiglottis, Skin-to-Epiglottis Distance, Difficult Airway Prediction
Brief summary
This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the predictive value of ultrasound-measured skin to epiglottis distance for difficult airway in adult patients undergoing elective or emergency procedures requiring airway management. The correlation between ultrasound measurements and standard airway assessment parameters will be analyzed.
Detailed description
Airway management is a critical component of anesthesia and intensive care practice. Predicting difficult airway remains challenging with conventional bedside tests. Ultrasound has emerged as a non-invasive, bedside tool for airway assessment. This study aims to investigate the relationship between skin-to-epiglottis distance measured by ultrasound and difficult laryngoscopy/intubation. Secondary comparisons will include traditional airway assessment methods such as Mallampati score, thyromental distance, and neck circumference
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Hacettepe University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* ≥18 yaş elective surgery
Exclusion criteria
* emergency surgery * head and neck surgery * pregnant patients
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Skin to epiglottis distance | Preintubation (within 30 minutes before procedure) | Distance measured via ultrasound in the anterior neck region |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Incidence of difficult laryngoscopy (Cormack-Lehane grade ≥ 3) | During intubation procedure (intraoperative period) | The proportion of patients with difficult laryngoscopy defined as Cormack-Lehane grade 3 or 4 during direct laryngoscopy. |
| Intubation Difficulty Score (IDS) | During intubation procedure | Assessment of intubation difficulty using the Intubation Difficulty Score based on number of attempts, operators, alternative techniques, glottic exposure, lifting force, external laryngeal pressure, and vocal cord position. |
| Correlation between ultrasound measurements and Mallampati score | Preoperative assessment | Correlation between tracheal diameter and skin to epiglottis distance measured by ultrasound and preoperative Mallampati classification. |
| Skin-to-Epiglottis Distance Measured by Ultrasound | Immediately before induction of anesthesia | Skin-to-epiglottis distance will be measured using ultrasound immediately before anesthesia induction. The distance is recorded in millimeters (mm) as a continuous variable. Larger values indicate a greater skin-to-epiglottis distance and may be associated with an increased likelihood of difficult laryngoscopy. This is not a scored scale; therefore, no predefined minimum or maximum score exists.Cormack-Lehane Grading System. Scores range from Grade I to Grade IV. Grade I indicates full visualization of the glottis (easier laryngoscopy), whereas Grade IV indicates that neither the glottis nor the epiglottis is visible (most difficult laryngoscopy). Higher grades indicate a worse airway view. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
CONTACTAlmıla G Pamuk, Doç. Dr.
CONTACTmuhammed r hız, research assistant
STUDY_DIRECTORAlmıla g Pamuk, Doç Dr.
Hacettepe Univercity
Outcome results
None listed