PREDICTING DIFFICULTY OF INTUBATION

Predictors of difficult intubation:

• History of prior difficult intubation
• Anatomically abnormal facies
• Prominent incisors
• Receding mandible
• Short, thick neck
• Morbid obesity
• Dentition: any chipped, loose, or missing teeth?
• Inadequate:

• Neck mobility
• Size of mandible as assessed by thyromental distance (best if < 6cm)
• Mouth opening (in cm)
• Oral access (Mallampati scale)