Standard mallampati versus mallampati in supine position for predicting of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the accuracy and predictive value of difficult intubation with malampathi in the supine position compared to the standard position, because most of the patients referred to the emergency room are supine or have lost the ability to sit due to various reasons such as orthostatic changes and the like. They do not have or cannot tolerate other positions. Methods: Within 6 months (from the time of receiving the code of ethics), patients needing surgery for intubated airway management are included in the study, and before intubation, the Malampathi score of the patients in two standard and supine positions by an anesthesiologist or 4th year resident Anesthesia was calculated and recorded in the checklist, then the patients were subjected to laryngoscopy and intubation by another anesthesiologist, and the Cormac-Lehan score and the time required for intubation of the patient were recorded in the checklist. Then two methods of measuring Malampathi in predicting laryngoscopy and intubation problems were compared. Results: 109 patients were included in this study, 46 patients (42%) had malampathy 2 and 28 patients (26%) had malampathy 1. In examining these patients in bed and examining their malampathi, 26 patients (24%) had malampathi 1 and 46 (42%) had malampathi 2. In examining the number of intubation attempts, 95 patients (87%) were intubated in the first attempt. The average time required for intubation in the studied patients was 13.17 ± 10.56 seconds, the median was 10 seconds and the interquartile range was 8 to 15 seconds. There is a significant relationship between intubation attempts and malampathi while sitting, but this relationship is weak. There is a significant relationship between intubation attempts and malampathi in the supine position, but this relationship is moderate. There was no significant relationship between intubation time and malampathi in sitting position. There is a significant relationship between the time of intubation and malampathi in the lying position, but this relationship is moderate.