Prediction of difficult laryngoscopy and/or intubation among morbidly obese patients: Upper lip bite test versus modified Mallampati classification.

Introduction: We aim to compare the upper lip bite test with the modified Mallampati test as predictors of difficult laryngoscopy and/or difficult intubation among morbidly obese patients.

Methods: A total of 500 morbidly obese patients (body mass index > 40 kg/m) undergoing general anaesthesia with tracheal intubation are included in this prospective single-blinded observational clinical study. The preoperative airway assessment is obtained by the modified Mallampati test and upper lip bite test.