Prevalence and prediction of difficult intubation in Chinese women.
We conducted a prospective, blind observational study to investigate the prevalence and prediction of difficult intubation in Chinese women. Two groups of Chinese women were studied (151 pregnant and 260 non-pregnant). The prevalence of difficult intubation was 1.99% in the pregnant and 1.54% in the non-pregnant group. The difference was not statistically significant. Predictive variables for difficult intubation, including modified Mallampati class, thyromental distance and atlanto-occipital extension, had high sensitivity but low positive predictive value when used alone. A shorter thyromental distance had to be used as the criterion for prediction in Chinese women. Combination of predictive variables could improve the positive predictive value.
Department of Anaesthesia, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
S H
SH
Wong
C T
CT
Hung
D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D044466:Asian People; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity