Mallampati score (classification of the visibility of oropharyngeal structures) should be performed in the sitting position, head in the neutral position, mouth widely open, and tongue protrudes, without phonation. However, phonation, and position modify the visibility of oropharyngeal structures and thus the Mallampati score. We aimed at evaluating the predictive value of the best observable Mallampati score as compare to the recommended Mallampati score.
Mallampati score (classification of the visibility of oropharyngeal structures) should be performed in the sitting position, head in the neutral position, mouth widely open, and tongue protrudes, without phonation. However, phonation, and position modify the visibility of oropharyngeal structures and thus the Mallampati score. We aimed at evaluating the predictive value of the best observable Mallampati score as compare to the recommended Mallampati score. This is a single center prospective observational study comparing the original Mallampati classification to the best visible Mallampati classification. Data and variables concerning airway management during induction of general anesthesia are recorded on a specific record sheet.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
3,244
University Hospital of Caen
Caen, France
Number of patients with difficult airway management
Occurence of either difficult tracheal intubation or difficult face mask ventilation or both Difficult tracheal intubation was defined as an orotracheal intubation requiring more than 2 laryngoscopies, or lasting more than 10 min, or requiring an alternate device (gum elastic bougie, supraglottic device, videolaryngoscope) Difficult mask ventilation was defined as the inability for the anesthesiologist to provide adequate ventilation because of one or more of the following problems: inability for the unassisted anesthesiologists to maintain oxygen saturation \> 92% using 100% oxygen, excessive gas leak requiring use of the oxygen flush valve more than twice, excessive insufflation pressure (\> 25 cmH2O), absence of spirometric measures of exhaled gas flow or a tidal volume \< 3ml/kg, absence or inadequate exhaled carbon dioxide, necessity to perform two-handed mask ventilation
Time frame: 1 day
Number of patient with difficult Face Mask Ventilation
Difficult mask ventilation was defined as the inability for the anesthesiologist to provide adequate ventilation because of one or more of the following problems: inability for the unassisted anesthesiologists to maintain oxygen saturation \> 92% using 100% oxygen, excessive gas leak requiring use of the oxygen flush valve more than twice, excessive insufflation pressure (\> 25 cmH2O), absence of spirometric measures of exhaled gas flow or a tidal volume \< 3ml/kg, absence or inadequate exhaled carbon dioxide, necessity to perform two-handed mask ventilation
Time frame: 1 day
Number of patients with difficult tracheal intubation
Difficult tracheal intubation was defined as an orotracheal intubation requiring more than 2 laryngoscopies, or lasting more than 10 min, or requiring an alternate device (gum elastic bougie, supraglottic device, videolaryngoscope)
Time frame: 1 day
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