Assessment of Difficult Airway Predictors: Comparing Upper Airway Ultrasound with Conventional Body Measurements in Adults Undergoing Elective Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether upper airway ultrasound measurements can better predict difficult airways compared to standard body measurements in adults undergoing planned surgeries requiring airway management. The study aims to improve pre-anesthetic airway assessments by comparing ultrasound parameters like tongue thickness and neck soft tissue thickness with traditional clinical predictors such as Mallampati score and neck circumference. This observational study is sponsored by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi Gulhane Tip Fakultesi. Participants will have upper airway ultrasound and standard anthropometric measurements taken before anesthesia induction. No treatment or intervention is given, as this is a prospective observational study focusing on measurement and prediction accuracy. Ultrasound and clinical data will be collected within one hour before anesthesia to evaluate their diagnostic value for difficult mask ventilation. During the study, participants will undergo preoperative airway evaluations including ultrasound scans and standard clinical assessments. Researchers will measure the accuracy of ultrasound in predicting difficult laryngoscopy and intubation. The primary outcome is the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound airway measurements taken shortly before anesthesia. The study will continue until December 2027 with adult patients aged 18 to 99 years undergoing elective procedures.

Assessment Of Difficult Airway Predictors: A Prospective Comparison Of Upper Airway Ultrasound And Conventional Anthropometric Measures