Zor Entübasyonu Tahmin Etmek İçin Cormeck-Lehane ve Mallampati Testleri İle Mandibula ve Boyun Ölçümlerinin Karşılaştırılması

Objective: Various prediction tests were formulated to forecast diffi cult intu- bation. The Mallampati test, Wilson score, Cormack-Lehane test and thyro- mental distance are the most commonly used tests pre-operatively to assess the airway. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether a combination of the Mallampati and Cormack-Lehane’s classification to pre- dict difficult intubation compared with sternomental and thyromental dis- tances, mandibular length, width and neck length and circumference. Material and Methods: Two hundred twenty seven cases between 17 and 70 years old undergoing elective surgery were included in the study. Age, gender, body weight, body height and BMI were noted preoperatively. The pharyngeal structures were examined before the operation. At the time of intubation, laryngoscopic evaluation was performed according to the Cormack-Lehane’s laryngoscopic classifi cation. Results: For analysis, Mallampati and Cormack-Lehane’s laryngoscopic classification were grouped as difficult (grades III and IV) or easy (grades I and II). Whereas Mallampati scoring were class 1 and 2 (easy) in 72.7% cases, Cormack-Lehane’s laryngoscopic scoring 90.7% of the cases were in class 1 and 2. The combination of the Cormeck-Lehane classifi cation with neck circumference had the highest sensitivity (94.74%), but this combination decreased the positive predictive value. The combination of the Mallampati classification with neck length had the highest sensitivity (67.86%), but this combination decreased the positive predictive value. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the Mallampati and Cormeck-Le- hane classification by itself is insufficient for predicting diffi cult intubation so should be used in conjunction with measurement of neck circumfer- ence and Cormeck-lehane test. Mallampati test with sternomental and thyromental distances in addition with neck length may be useful in rou- tine test for preoperative prediction of diffi cult intubation.