Question: Can you think of some abnormalities in the mouth that may contribute to difficult airway management?

Answer

Question: Can you think of some abnormalities in the mouth that may contribute to difficult airway management?

Answer: Anatomical abnormalities may include a small mouth, receding chin, high arched palate or a large tongue.

A patient may have acquired problems such as burns, tumours, abscess, radiotherapy injury or restrictive scars. A beard may make it difficult to maintain a seal with a facemask.

Poor dentition may make airway management difficult. Loose teeth and crowns may become displaced during airway manipulation. Protruding teeth or gaps in the front teeth may make intubation difficult.

Bear in mind the possibility of mechanical limitation, such as reduced mouth opening due to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease.