Comparison of Upper Lip Bite Test with Modified Mallampati Score in Predicting Difficult Intubation

Background and Aims: Identifying a patient with a difficult airway is important in planning anaesthetic management so that endotracheal intubation can be achieved safely. This study aims to compare modified Mallampati score with Upper Lip Bite Test to predict difficult intubation using intubation difficulty scale. Materials and methods: A prospective study was carried on 104 patients, both sexes aged between 18 to 60 years scheduled for elective surgeries under general anaesthesia fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patient airway was evaluated by MMT and ULBT preoperatively. Predictors of difficult endotracheal intubation were assigned to MMT class III and IV, ULBT class III. After premedication and induction laryngoscopy was performed. After successful intubation Intubation difficulty score was noted down based on the sum of seven assessing parameters. A score >5 was considered difficult intubation. Results: The incidence of difficult intubation in the study was 10.6% (i.e. 11 out of 104 patients). In this study ULBT had a higher sensitivity (90.9% v/s 18.20%), specificity (95.7% v/s 75.3%) PPV (71.4% v/s 8%) and NPV (98.9% v/s 88.6%) than that of MMT Conclusion: Upper lip bite test is better at predicting difficult intubation with higher accuracy when compared to Modified Mallampati test. Both the tests are good predictors of easy intubation. Keywords: Upper Lip Bite Test (ULBT), Modified Mallampati test (MMT), Intubation Difficulty scale (IDS), airway assessment. Difficult intubation prediction, Difficult airway

Tracheal Tube-Mounted Camera Assisted Intubation vs. Videolaryngoscopy in Expected Difficult Airway: A Prospective, Randomized Trial (VivaOP Trial)

Background: Tracheal intubation in patients with an expected difficult airway may be facilitated by videolaryngoscopy (VL). The VL viewing axis angle is specified by the blade shape and visualization of the larynx may fail if the angle does not meet anatomy of the patient. A tube with an integrated camera at its tip (VST, VivaSight-SL) may be advantageous due to its adjustable viewing axis by means of angulating an included stylet.Methods: With ethics approval, we studied the VST vs. VL in a prospective non-inferiority trial using end-tidal oxygen fractions (etO2) after intubation, first-attempt success rates (FAS), visualization assessed by the percentage of glottis opening (POGO) scale, and time to intubation (TTI) as outcome parameters.Results: In this study, 48 patients with a predicted difficult airway were randomized 1:1 to intubation with VST or VL. Concerning oxygenation, the VST was non-inferior to VL with etO2 of 0.79 ± 0.08 (95% CIs: 0.75–0.82) vs. 0.81 ± 0.06 (0.79–0.84) for the VL group, mean difference 0.02 (−0.07 to 0.02), p = 0.234. FAS was 79% for VST and 88% for VL (p = 0.449). POGO was 89 ± 21% in the VST-group and 60 ± 36% in the VL group, p = 0.002. TTI was 100 ± 57 s in the VST group and 68 ± 65 s in the VL group (p = 0.079). TTI with one attempt was 84 ± 31 s vs. 49 ± 14 s, p < 0.001.Conclusion: In patients with difficult airways, tracheal intubation with the VST is feasible without negative impact on oxygenation, improves visualization but prolongs intubation. The VST deserves further study to identify patients that might benefit from intubation with VST.

Using Lean tools to improve the efficiency of awake fibreoptic intubation setup

BackgroundAwake fibreoptic intubation is a complex advanced airway technique used by anaesthesiologists in the management of a difficult airway. The time to setup this important procedure can be significant which may dissuade its use by some providers. In our institution, the awake intubation setup process was highly variable and error prone.MethodsWe deployed Lean methods to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the awake fibreoptic intubation setup process. A 2-day improvement event with a multidisciplinary team addressed the setup process, tested solutions and created standard work documents. Twenty awake fibreoptic intubation simulations were conducted before and after the intervention to quantify gains in setup efficiency and error reduction.ResultsVariability in the setup process, including clinical locations visited, was reduced through creating a standardised process. The average time to for an awake fibreoptic intubation setup was reduced by approximately 50%, from 23 min to 11 min (p<0.001). In addition, awake fibreoptic intubation equipment set out without error increased in the postintervention simulations from 59% to 85% (p=0.003).ConclusionUsing Lean tools, we were able to make the setup of awake fibreoptic intubation not only more efficient, but also more accurate. A similar methodological approach may have value for other complex anaesthesia procedures.