Table 2.

Difficult airway predictors identified in CMPA closed cases, 2007–2016 (n = 46 cases)

	N (%)
Indicators of a difficult airway (whether known/recognized at the time or not) or factors that contributed to difficult airway management
Airway obstruction from any cause (e.g., sleep apnea/acute pathology)	12 (26)
History of difficult intubation	1 (2)
Mallampati grade 3–4	2 (4)
Limited cervical spine extension	3 (7)
Limited mouth opening	4 (9)
Secretions/blood in airway	1 (2)
Short neck	3 (7)
Swollen tongue	1 (2)
Thick or bull neck	1 (2)
Pre-eclampsia	1 (2)
Number of predictors
1	13 (28)
2–6	6 (13)

CMPA = Canadian Medical Protective Association.