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Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing

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09-02-2022 | Difficult Airway | Original Research

The effect of head position on glottic visualization with video laryngoscope and intubation success in obese patients who are not expected to have a difficult airway: a prospective randomized clinical study

Authors: Ali Genc, Tugba Karaman, Serkan Karaman, Mehtap Gurler Balta, Hakan Tapar, Serkan Dogru, Mustafa Suren

Published in: Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing | Issue 6/2022

Abstract

Intubation is required to maintain anesthesia in patients who are planned to undergo surgery under general anesthesia. One of the most important steps for successful intubation is to position head and neck appropriately. Sniffing position, head extension position, and neutral head position are the most known and used head and neck positions. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of head position on glottic visualization with McGrath MAC® video laryngoscope (VL) and intubation success in obese patients who are scheduled for surgery. A total of 150 patients, 50 patients in each group, with a body mass index of 30 and above were included in the study. The patients included in the study were divided into three groups: neutral head position, head extension position and sniffing position. During the intubation with McGrath MAC® VL, the groups were compared in terms of percent of glottic opening (POGO) score, intubation duration and Intubation Difficulty Scale (IDS) score. While the POGO score was found to be statistically significantly higher in the sniffing position than in the neutral head position (p < 0.001), it was similar in the extension position. The intubation duration was found to be statistically significantly shorter in the sniffing position than in the neutral head position (p = 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between sniffing and extension positions. IDS score was found to be statistically significantly higher in the neutral head position compared to the other positions (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, the IDS score was statistically significantly higher in head extension position than in sniffing position (p = 0.016). This study is a randomized controlled trial of 150 patients investigating the impact of head position on glottic visualization and intubation success in obese patients when using Macintosh-like VL. The results show that sniffing position may be favored.

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Title: The effect of head position on glottic visualization with video laryngoscope and intubation success in obese patients who are not expected to have a difficult airway: a prospective randomized clinical study
Authors: Ali Genc
Tugba Karaman
Serkan Karaman
Mehtap Gurler Balta
Hakan Tapar
Serkan Dogru
Mustafa Suren
Publication date: 09-02-2022
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Keyword: Difficult Airway
Published in: Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing / Issue 6/2022
Print ISSN: 1387-1307
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2614
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10877-022-00827-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The effect of head position on glottic visualization with video laryngoscope and intubation success in obese patients who are not expected to have a difficult airway: a prospective randomized clinical study

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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