Abstract

GRUNBERG, Gustavo et al. EVALUACIÓN DE LOS MÉTODOS PREDICTORES DE VÍA AÉREA DIFICULTOSA EN PACIENTES COORDINADOS PARA PROCEDIMIENTOS ENDOSCÓPICOS DE VÍA AÉREA SUPERIOR. Anest Analg Reanim [online]. 2006, vol.21, n.1, pp.11-19. ISSN 1688-1273.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the predictive value of clinical evaluation and indirect laryngoscopy (LI) to detect difficult tracheal intubation, in patients coordinated for endoscopic procedures of upper airway. METHODS: We studied 76 patients coordinated for endoscopic procedures of upper airway under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation. The airway was clinically evaluated with Mallampati test, hyomental and thyromental distances, horizontal branch of lower jaw distance, neck characteristics, teeth, tongue, mouth opening, and with indirect laryngoscopy. This evaluation was used as a predictor of difficult airway, and was correlated to the findings during direct laryngoscopy and intubation. From this data sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive (NPV) value were calculated. RESULTS: clinical evaluation had 50% sensitivity and 81% specificity, with a PPV of 24% and a NPV of 93%. Indirect laryngoscopy had 38% sensitivity and 79% specificity, with a PPV of 18% and a NPV of 92%. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical evaluation was best predictor of difficult airway than indirect laryngoscopy, but predictive value of both methods was low.

Keywords : difficult airway; predictive value; indirect laryngoscopy.

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