Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turk Anesteziyoloji ve Reanimasyon Dernegi Dergisi, cilt.31, sa.6, ss.303-308, 2003 (Scopus, TRDizin)
We aimed to determine optimum cut points of each predictive test to establish the optimum predictive level. By using these cut points, predictive tests were also compared with their ability to predict difficult intubation. The patients were assessed preoperatively with respect to the Mallampati classification, thiromental, sternomental and inter-incisor distances, and atlantooccipital joint extension. During laryngoscopy, the view of the glottis was graded according to Cormack and Lehane's classification. Receiver operating characteristics curve was used to determine optimum cut point and relationship between predictive tests and difficult intubation. Incidence of difficult intubation was determined as 4.7 %. No relationship was found between inter-incisor distance with difficult intubation. Cut points were established as 6.5 cm, 12 cm, and 250 for thiromental distance, sternomental distance and atlantooccipital joint extension, respectively. Generally predictive tests were associated with poor sensitivity and positive predictive value. The combination of the Mallampati classification with thiromental distance had highest positive predictive value (80 %), but this combination decreased the sensitivity. We conclude that these four tests are of little value in predicting difficult intubation, even if its optimum cut point is used.