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Indian Journal of Anesthesia and Analgesia

Volume  6, Issue 4, July-August 2019, Pages 1091-1099
 

Original Article

Comparison of Laryngoscopic View Obtained by Conventional 10 cm Head Rise to that Obtained by Horizontal Alignment of External Auditory Meatus and Sternal Notch

Aditi Goyal1, Ravi Prakash2

1Ex Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesiology, Bhopal Memorial Hospital And Research Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462038, India. 2Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, SS Medical College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh 486001, India.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijaa.2349.8471.6419.5

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of position (Sniff / HELP) during laryngoscopy on the extent of change/ improvement in laryngoscopic view of glottis. Materials and Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted on 245 patients who were scheduled to undergo elective surgeries, age 18-60 years, of either sex and ASA physical status I and II. Patients were positioned in HELP at first, following standard anaesthesia induction laryngoscopy was done to evaluate CL grade (HELP score). Patients were then positioned to sniff position and CL grade was reassessed (SNIFF score) and intubated. SNIFF score and HELP score were then compared. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Student's t-test were used for analysis. Results: In 163 cases (66.5%) HELP and Sniff showed equal CL grades. In 67 cases (27.34%) HELP showed improved CL grades in comparison to Sniff. 47 cases (19.2%) of CL grade II by SNIFF position showed grade I view in HELP. Out of total 22 cases (9%) showing C & L grade III in SNIFF position, 15 cases (6.1%) showed grade I and 5 cases (2%) showed grade II in HELP. HELP provided equal/improved view in 230 cases (93.8%) of our study population which was statistically significant. Conclusion: HELP provides better glottic visualization and it should be the ideal intubating position for all patients (both obese and non obese) irrespective of age and sex. Neck circumference serves as more accurate predictor of poor glottic visualization during direct laryngoscopy as compared to BMI.


Keywords : HELP; Sniffing position; Laryngoscopic view; Cormack & Lehane grade.
Corresponding Author : Ravi Prakash