The Prediction of Difficult Airway: is it Possible?

According to the 4th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the insufficient knowledge level, the familiarity with the situation, the presence of appropriate equipment, the existence of crisis management are the most important factors contributing to the existence. It is noteworthy that there is insufficient management plan or inadequate alternative plan development in the presence of these findings as well as inadequate airway evaluation of the anesthesiologist. Several studies have attempted to establish a scoring or mathematical model to provide predictions of difficult intubation. Despite all preoperative preparedness and predictive scoring systems, we have seen a relatively high rate of unexpectedly difficult airways in all patients despite having low airway risk score and with all normal examinations, and we have not yet determined reasons. In this review we aimed to analyse and compare the conventional airway assessment methods and new techniques.

Keywords: Airway management; predictors; difficult airway; anesthesia.