Anatomical and Ultrasonographic Parameters to Predict Difficult Airway in Pediatrics

Evaluation of Anatomical and Ultrasonographic Parameters to Predict Difficult Airway in Pediatric Patients

This study was designed to assess the accuracy of ultrasonographic parameters in combination to clinical parameters in the prediction of difficult airway in pediatric population.

All patients underwent a standard airway examination and sonographic airway assessment preoperatively and the predictive values for difficult airway of these methods were recorded.

Difficult airway in a pediatric patient is associated with more stresful situation than adults. Therefore, various clinical airways parameters have been investigated in the prediction of difficult airway. Sonographic evaluation to predict difficult airway is still primitive especially in pediatrics.

Ultrasonography and clinical parameters have been shown to be used in predicting difficult airway, but there is no study showing which is a better predictor.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children, aged between 1-12 years
• Children who required endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia for elective procedures
• written informed parental consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• children over the age of 12
• restrictive neck movement
• tracheostomized patient
• previous laryngeal surgery leading deformation of the laryngeal anatomy