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. 2019 Oct 23;2019:6421910. doi: 10.1155/2019/6421910

Table 2.

Some data on predicted difficulties with intubation and backup plans for oxygenation. Highlighted (with a “+”), which of these features our patient presented [3, 6, 7].

Predictors of difficult intubation Predictors of difficult backup plans for oxygenation
Predictors of difficult direct laryngoscopy Predictors of difficult facemask ventilation

History of difficult intubation + History of neck radiation +
Limited mouth opening (interincisor gap) + History of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea +
Modified Mallampati Score 3 + 4 + Obesity
Limited cervical spine mobility + Older age +
Upper lip bite test + Male sex +
Limited mandibular protrusion + Full beard
Retrognathia + Lack of teeth +
Short thyromental distance + Modified Mallampati Score 3 + 4 +
Limited mandibular protrusion +
Short thyromental distance +

Predictors of difficult video laryngoscopy Predictors of difficult supraglottic device use

Neck pathology (e.g., scars, neck radiation, mass, thick neck) + Glottic, supraglottic or subglottic pathology (e.g., neck radiation) +
Cormack-Lehane Grade 3 + 4 with Macintosh + Obesity
Limited cervical spine mobility + Older age +
Limited mandibular protrusion + Male sex +
Short thyromental distance + Poor dentition +
Limited mouth opening +
Limited cervical spine mobility +
Short thyromental distance +
Rotation of surgical table during case
Applied cricoid pressure

Predictors of difficult ligthwand use Predictors of difficult cricothyrotomy

Obesity (thick neck) Neck surface pathology (e.g. scars, radiation, inflammation, hematoma) +
Limited cervical spine mobility + Deviated airway (e.g. goiter, neoplasms)
Large tongue/epiglottis + Obesity (thick neck)
Age <8–10 years
Female sex
Limited cervical spine mobility +