Airway Ultrasound as a Predictor for Postextubation Stridor in Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery

Airway Ultrasound as a Predictor for Postextubation Stridor in Cervical Spine Surgery [Anterior Approach]: Prospective Observational Study

literature on use of the ultrasound (US) in extubation decisions in cervical spine surgery is scarce.The aim of this study will be to evaluate the utility of US as an aid for decision making for extubation in elective cervical spine surgery (anterior approach) operations and as a predictor for postextubation stridor in these operations

Inclusion Criteria:

• surgeries associated with either exposure of more than three vertebral bodies,
• exposures involving the C2-C4 levels,
• blood loss exceeding 300 mL
• surgical time of more than five hours,

Exclusion Criteria:

• laryngotracheobronchial pathology,
• severe cardiorespiratory disease,
• admitted for redo-surgery
• intubated prior to operation
• Patient with anesthetic risk factors include Mallampati 3 or 4 and multiple intubation attempts