Patient’s Mask-On Contactless Airway Assessment Predicting Intubation Difficulty During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of a contactless airway assessment method to predict intubation difficulty in a patient without any physical contact.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of anesthesiology, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from 1st February 2023 to 31st July 2023. A total of 206 patients between 18-60 years of age and scheduled for elective surgery requiring general anesthesia and intubation were included in this study. The attending physician found the sternomental distance by asking the patient to place the tip of a measuring tape on the chin and extend towards upper border of manubrium sterni with fully extended neck. Patient’s BMI and neck movements were recorded. An assessment performa was filled to assess prediction for difficult laryngoscopy. The primary outcomes were sensitivity, specificity and negative and positive predictive values of the method.

Results: The results of this study reported contactless airway assessment method with Se (68.42%), Sp (93.452%), PPV (70.27%), NPV (92.899%) and accuracy (89%) in predicting DI (p < 0.000).

Conclusions: Contactless airway assessment based on sternomental distance, BMI and neck movements serves as reliable method for prediction of difficult intubation.