J Korean Dent Soc Anesthesiol.  2009 Dec;9(2):91-97. 10.17245/jkdsa.2009.9.2.91.

The Effect of Laryngeal View Grade and Intraoral Bleeding on Intubation Difficulty during Fiberoptic Nasotracheal Intubation

• Kim HW
• Seo KS
• Shin TJ
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2345099
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17245/jkdsa.2009.9.2.91

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Nasotracheal intubation for general anesthesia is preferred for oral and maxillofacial procedures because it provides improved access to the operative site. Fiberopic nasotracheal intubation is a useful technique when airway management seems difficult. But, intaoral bleeding is considered as the important factor that makes fiberopic nasotracheal intubation difficult. The purpose of our study was to elucidate the effect of laryngeal view and bleeding on intubation difficulty during fiberopic intubation.
METHODS
We studied 461 patients undergoing nasotracheal intubation with permission. Laryngeal view grades were examined with laryngoscope and were recorded. Then, intubation time and the amounts of bleeding were measured during fibroptic nasotracheal intubation under general anesthesia.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference between laryngeal view grade and intubation difficulty (P > 0.05). But severity of bleeding increased intubation difficulty (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the significant amounts of bleeding had an effect on intubation difficulty.

Keyword

Nasotracheal intubation; Fiberopic tracheal intubation; Intaoral bleeding Laryngeal view grade; Intubation difficulty

MeSH Terms

Airway Management
Anesthesia, General
Hemorrhage*
Humans
Intubation*
Laryngoscopes
Oral Surgical Procedures