Effect of Head and Neck Positioning on Awake Fiberoptic Intubation in Obese Patients - NCT07928843

Sponsor: Cairo University Conditions: Neck, Intubation, Obese Patients, Positioning The aim of the study was the assessment and comparison of the time taken for vocal cord visualization with three different head positions: (conventional sniffing position, ramp position and supine position) in obese patients Airway management in patients undergoing general anesthesia is a set of actions that result in the creation of a safe and secure airway for ventilation. Failure in airway management and hypoxia can lead to irreversible brain damages within only a few minutes . The prevalence of obesity is rising worldwide, and this is a challenge for specialists in various fields of medicine. There is an inverse correlation between body weight and pharyngeal space. This association is significant because excess fat in morbid obesity can influence the pharyngeal spaces, and thus, significantly change laryngoscopic grade . Overall, airway management in obese patients can pose numerous challenges as these patients are at a higher risk for difficult airway than normal patients . In fact, patients with morbid obesity have excess fat in the mouth, neck, pharynx, thorax, breast, and abdomen, making access to the airway more problematic in various anesthesia situations such as intubation, tracheostomy, or mask ventilation as compared to normal subjects. In most studies, an increase in neck circumference was associated with difficult intubation, and a neck circumference over 60 cm was linked with a 35% likelihood of difficult intubation. Hence, the possibility of difficult intubation and problems with difficult airways in these patients should be considered, and a solution should be provided. In dealing with difficult airways, assistive devices such as fiberoptic bronchoscope and video-laryngoscope may be used in either awake or anesthetized patients . Proper positioning before the induction of anesthesia is a key step in successful intubation . Numerous studies have emphasized the significance of head and neck positioning, which can have a significant impact on successful intubation and reduce tracheal injury and post-intubation complications . The aim of the study was the assessment and comparison of the time taken for vocal cord visualization with three different head positions: (conventional sniffing position, ramp position and supine position) in obese patients