Airway Assessment Flashcards
Airway assessment: Should be conducted in a _______ and ______ fashion
thorough and systematic fashion
What does evidence say about airway exam techniques?
No single examination has emerged that has a consistently high sensitivity and specificity with minimal false positive or false negative reports
Research advocates for the use of __________
multiple airway tests
What does the mallampati classification allow us to determine? (2)
- Serves as a rough estimate of the tongue size relative to the oral cavity
- Provides an estimate of the relative visibility of the pharyngeal structures
Mallampati classification: A __________ may hinder the view of the larynx
disproportionately large tongue base
Describe how you should instruct the patient on how to preform the mallampati classification.
- Perform with patient in sitting position.
- Instruct patient to open mouth as wide as possible and stick their tongue out.
What should be avoided during the mallampati assessment?
Avoid phonation
What is the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ICC?
Used to describe the degree to which individuals with a fixed degree of relatedness (e.g. siblings, anesthesia providers, etc.) resemble each other in terms of a quantitative trait.
What is sensitivity?
is the ability of a test to correctly identify those with the disease (true positive rate)
What is the specificity?
is the ability of the test to correctly identify those without the disease (true negative rate)
What is the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of the mallampatic?
0.31
Mallampati: Sensitivity _____%; Specificity _______%
Sensitivity 49%; Specificity 86%
When is the hard palate immobile?
Immobile during mastication, breathing and swallowing
What is the function of the soft palate? (3)
1) Prevents food from entering nasal passages; 2) With age the soft palate stretches and becomes more pliable; 3) the soft palate relaxes and may cause upper airway obstruction
What are the characteristics of the Mallampati Class I (3)?
Exposure of the:
- Soft palate
- Faucial pillars
- Entire uvula
What are the characteristics of the Mallampati Class II (3)?
Exposure of the:
- Soft palate
- -Faucial pillars
- Portion of the uvula
What are the characteristics of the Mallampati Class III (3)?
Exposure of the:
- Soft palate
- Base of the uvula
What are the characteristics of the Mallampati Class IV?
Exposure of the: Hard palate only
Practice examples
Slide 44
What is the airway opening assessment?
Defined as the maximal mouth opening and measured by the distance between upper and lower incisors
The airway opening should be at least __________.
3cm (2 full finger breadths)
What is the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of the oral opening?
0.93, excellent correlation
Oral opening: Sensitivity _____%; Specificity _______%
Sensitivity 46%; Specificity 89%
What is the thyromental distance assessment?
Defined as the distance from the mentum to the thyroid notch
What would be considered a challenging airway according to the thyromental distance?
- If less than 6cm (3 finger breadths) anticipate a challenging airway
- May also be challenging if >9cm
What is the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of the thyromental distance?
0.74
Thyromental distance: Sensitivity _____%; Specificity _______%
Sensitivity 20%; Specificity 94%
What is the Prognathism/Mandibular Protrusion Test?
Ability to protrude the lower jaw beyond the upper incisors (ULBT)
How many classifications of the Prognathism/Mandibular Protrusion Test
3
What is a normal Prognathism/Mandibular Protrusion Test?
Patient can protrude lower incisors anteriorly past the upper incisors and can bite the upper lip above the vermilion border
What is a intermediate Prognathism/Mandibular Protrusion Test?
Patient can move lower incisors in line with the upper incisors and bite the upper lip below the vermilion border, but cannot protrude lower incisors beyond
What is a abnormal Prognathism/Mandibular Protrusion Test?
Lower incisors cannot be moved in line with the upper incisors, and cannot bite the upper lip*
What is the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of the Prognathism/Mandibular Protrusion Test?
0.66
What is the Atlanto-Occipital Extension?
Measurement of patient angles in the sniffing position
What is the desirable result of Atlanto-Occipital Extension?
A greater degree of extension is desirable, normal head extension is 35 degrees
What is the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of Atlanto-Occipital Extension?
0.67
What does the Profile Classification/Mandibular Hypoplasia measure?
Measurement of retrognathia
What is the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of Profile Classification/Mandibular Hypoplasia?
0.58
What is ramus length?
Length of the jaw
What is the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of ramus length?
0.53
What is the oropharyngeal best view?
The best Mallampati view obtained using any and all means
What is the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of oropharyngeal best view?
0.49
What is the sternomental distance?
Less than 12.5cm my indicate difficults
What is sternomental distance reliability?
Poor indicator
Review additional factors:
Slide 50