European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Airway management is the basic responsibility of each and every
anaesthesiologist. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship
between Mentohyoid distance and Cormac-Lehane Grading in predicting difficult
intubation.
Materials and Methods: The present study was carried among 200 patients belonging to
ASA I and II physical status undergoing elective surgery in IMS & SUM HOSPITAL.
During pre-anaesthetic check-up, patients were examined and mentohyoid distance was
measured. On the day of surgery after induction, during laryngoscopy Cormack-lehane
grading was observed, time taken for laryngoscopy and intubation was noted. The
results were statistically analysed using SPSS version 22 software. “A p-value of p <
0.05 was considered statistically significant and p-value of p<0.001 was considered
highly significant”.
Results: 12 % of the patients had CL Grade III, 45% had CL Grade I, 43% had Grade
II and 11 % had Mentohyoid distance of < 3.0 cm. and 1% had mentohyoid distance of
3 to 4 cm. The incidence of difficult intubation is around 12%. In patients who had
decreased mentohyoid distance (mandibular space), we faced difficulty during
laryngoscopy with poor CL grading III. Hence making it difficult for intubation and
more time taken for laryngoscopy.
Conclusion: Decrease Mentohyoid distance (mandibular space) has significant
association with difficult glottis exposure, hence making it difficult for intubation and
more time for laryngoscopy. Mentohyoid distance with cormack-lehane grading is a
good predictor of tracheal intubation