Table 1 shows each airway test together with indications for probably easy and possibly difficult intubation.
Run through the five tests on your colleagues. Can you perform this accurately in less than one minute?
Consider what will you do differently for a possible difficult airway in your hospital?
See Resources for a useful document on airway assessment.
|
Test |
Probably easy |
Possibly difficult |
| Mallampati | Mallampati 1-2 | Mallampati 3-4 |
| Fingers in mouth | 3 fingers mouth opening | <3 fingers mouth opening |
| Head flexion/extension | ≥90 ° flexion to extension | <90 ° flexion to extension |
| Jaw slide | Lower incisors beyond upper | Lower incisors do not reach upper |
| Thyromental Distance | Distance >7 cm plus soft tissues | Distance <7 cm plus hard scarred tissues |
Table 1 Airway tests and their indications