USG GUIDED ASSESSMENT OF ANTERIOR SOFT-TISSUE THICKNESS OF NECK FOR PREDICTION OF DIFFICULT INTUBATION IN MALE POPULATION ONLY: PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Objective: The use of ultrasound (US) imaging for anatomical evaluation has been an exciting technological advancement in the field of anesthesia. The growing utilization of the US is due to its proven clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and practicality. This technology allows anesthesiologists to assess complex and diverse anatomy. Methods: In a prospective observational study, US was used to measure the airway dimensions of 100 male patients. The study included assessing the minimal distance from the hyoid bone to the skin surface (DSHB-HB), the distance from the skin to the midway point between the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage (DSEM-TM), and the minimal distance from the skin to the anterior commissure (DSAC-AC). These patients were scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia after giving informed written consent. The relationship between easy and difficult laryngoscopy and categorical variables was analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. A p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: No significant difference in body mass index values in the easy and difficult laryngoscopy group. Out of 100 male patients, 80 were (80%) in the easy laryngoscopy group and 20 were (20%) in the difficult laryngoscopy group . The mean distances were 62.81 ± 22.82 mm, 41.09 ± 22.33 mm, and 39.30 ± 14.97 mm, respectively, for DSHB-HB, DSEM-TM, and DSAC-AC. There is a significant association between easy and difficult laryngoscopy and the increased distance from the hyoid bone to the skin surface, the distance from the skin to the epiglottis midway, and the distance from the skin to the anterior commissure (p<0.05). Conclusion: US-assisted evaluation of the airway by the anesthesiologist has significant advantages compared to relying solely on clinical assessment.