Korean J Anesthesiol.  1999 Jan;36(1):27-32. 10.4097/kjae.1999.36.1.27.

The Predictors of Difficult Tracheal Intubation can Predict Difficult Mask Ventilation

• Kim KJ
• Koh SO
• Kim HD
• Park SY

• KMID: 1935120
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1999.36.1.27

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Unexpected failed mask ventilation can result in brain damage or death. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the tests for predicting difficult tracheal intubation can be used to predict difficult mask ventilation in Koreans.
METHODS
One hundred ninety one patients were assessed before operation using the modified Mallampati test and by measuring the atlanto-occipital angle (AOA), thyromental distance (TM), hyomental distance (HM), sternomental distance (SM), and horizontal length of mandible (HLM). The mask ventilation grades and the laryngeal grades were determined. The sensitivities, specificities and positive predictive values of tests were calculated.
RESULTS
Eleven patients (5.7%) had difficulty in mask ventilation and 8 patients (4.1%) had difficulty in intubation. AOA grade had the highest sensitivity and every tests had relatively high specificities for predicting difficult mask ventilation.
CONCLUSIONS
The tests for predicting difficult tracheal intubation can be used to predict difficult mask ventilation.

Keyword

Airway, anatomy; Anesthesia, preoperative evaluation; Anesthetic technique, intubation; Intubation, tracheal, difficult

MeSH Terms

Brain
Humans
Intubation*
Mandible
Masks*
Ventilation*