Evaluation of the upper lip bite test in predicting difficult laryngoscopy - 07/08/11
: Associate Professor, Michael Sandison, MD b : Associate Professor, Kevin Roberts, MD b : Professor and ChairmanAbstract |
Study Objective |
To evaluate the accuracy of the upper lip bite test (ULBT) in predicting difficult laryngoscopy.
Design |
Prospective, observational outcome study.
Setting |
Operating room of a large tertiary-care academic medical center.
Patients |
6,882 consecutive adult, ASA physical status I, II, III, IV, and V patients, scheduled for procedures in all surgical specialties.
Interventions |
Upper lip bite test class was determined for all patients preoperatively.
Measurements |
The Cormack & Lehane grade of laryngeal view was determined at endotracheal intubation.
Main Results |
Only 171 patients had ULBT class III, predicting a difficult laryngoscopy, while 173 patients presented with a Cormack & Lehane grade of 3 or 4. Of the 173, 14 patients had a previous ULBT class of III. Sensitivity and positive predictive value of the ULBT were 8.1% and 8.2%, respectively.
Conclusions |
The ULBT is a poor predictor of difficult laryngoscopy when used as the single bedside screening test in a North American patient population. Its use cannot be recommended.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Difficult intubation, intratracheal, Difficult laryngoscopy, Upper lip bite test
Plan
Vol 22 - N° 3
P. 174-178 - mai 2010 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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