Preoperative Prediction of Difficult Airway in Children

Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital1,000 enrolled

Overview

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the predictive value of preoperative clinical airway assessment parameters for difficult airway management in pediatric patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia. Preoperative clinical measurements and bedside airway tests will be recorded, and their association with intraoperative airway outcomes, including difficult laryngoscopy and difficult intubation, will be analyzed. Difficult laryngoscopy will be defined as Cormack-Lehane grade III-IV, while secondary outcomes will include difficult intubation, difficult mask ventilation, and airway-related complications. The study seeks to identify clinically applicable predictors and improve preoperative risk stratification for pediatric airway management. The findings may contribute to safer anesthetic practice in children by facilitating early identification of patients at increased airway risk.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

1,000

Conditions

Pediatric Anesthesia Difficult Laryngoscopy

Interventions

Preoperative Clinical Airway Assessment

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 1 DayMax age: 12 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Pediatric patients aged 0-12 years * Scheduled for elective surgery requiring endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia * ASA physical status I-III * Written informed consent obtained from parent(s) or legal guardian(s) Exclusion Criteria: * Patients older than 12 years * ASA physical status IV or higher * Emergency situations that do not allow systematic documentation of the airway management process * Presence of a congenital or acquired tracheostomy * Surgical procedures planned to be performed using a supraglottic airway without endotracheal intubation * Surgical procedures planned to be performed using face mask ventilation without endotracheal intubation * Inability to obtain parental or legal guardian consent

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Difficult Laryngoscopy

Difficult laryngoscopy defined as Cormack-Lehane grade III or IV during laryngoscopy at tracheal intubation.

Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural

Secondary Outcomes

First-Attempt Intubation Success

Successful tracheal intubation achieved on the first attempt without the need for additional airway devices or techniques.

Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural

Central Contacts

Elif Şule Özdemir Sezgi

CONTACT

00905059209638 elifsule-91@hotmail.com

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