Seema Partani1, Rajneendra Sharma2, S. S. Jaitawat3, Venus Sharma4
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Several pre-operative screening tools are used in adult. Wide range of pediatric anatomical & developmental differences (especially with infants) makes uses of adult clinical predictors in challenge. The aim of our study is to assess various measurements of intubation in infants and their correlation with difficult laryngoscopy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This prospective randomized study conducted in 100 infants. We assessed the usefulness of neck length (NL), neck circumference (NC), Head Circumference, (HC) ratio of NC/NL and introduced length of laryngoscope blade as predictors of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation.
RESULT
NC, NL, HC and ratio of NC/NL were significantly associated with incidence of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation. As this ratio increases difficulty at laryngoscopy increases (p<.001). Difficult laryngoscopy was assessed using Cormack Lehane grading. We found as age increases laryngoscopy becomes easier. (p<0.05)
CONCLUSION
There is no single anatomical measurement of intubation in infants in our study we measured NC, NL, NC/NL, HC and introduced length of laryngoscope blade which were found to be important predictors of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation. Statistical significant correlation was found between age and Cormack Lehane grades. In infants, various congenital malformations are highly associated with difficult laryngoscopy and intubation.
