Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Successful and safe tracheal intubation with induction of anaesthesia should prevent morbidity and avoid the serious consequences of failure to establish the airway. The present study was conducted to assess the incidence of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation. Materials & Methods: 78 patients of ASA physical status I and II adult patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia requiring tracheal intubation of both genders. Airway characteristics and clinical factors were recorded and their association with difficult laryngoscopy (Cormack and Lehane grade 3 and 4) was analysed. Intubation difficulty scale score was used to identify degree of difficult laryngoscopy and patients were classified accordingly into group I with easy laryngoscopy and group II with difficult laryngoscopy. Results: Out of 78 patients, males were 40 and females were 38.Cormack and Lehane grade 1 was seen in 65% and 0, 2 in 35% and 0, 3 in 0 and 92% and 4 in 0 and 8%. With external laryngeal manipulation 1 was seen in 75% and 7%, 2 in 25% and 87% and 3 in 0 and 6%. IDS score 0 was seen in 53%and 0, 0-5 in 47% and 52% and >5 in 0 and 48%. Mallampati class 0 was seen in 4%and 0, 1 in 60% and 32%, 2 in 26% and 20%, 3 in 7% and 30% and 4 in 3%and 18% in group I and II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Cormack and Lehane grade 1 was seen in easy laryngoscopy group as compared to difficulty laryngoscopy group.