Study comparing different airway assessment tests in predicting difficult laryngoscopy: A prospective study in geriatric patients.

Background And Aims: Limited studies are available comparing diagnostic accuracy of various airway predictors in geriatric patients. We conducted this study with primary aim to evaluate and validate the predictive value of 'standard airway predictors' like modified Mallampati test, thyromental distance (TMD), sternomental distance, neck movement (NM), mouth opening (MO), dentition and 'new airway predictors' like upper lip bite test (ULBT), ratio of height to thyromental distance and thyromental height test (TMHT) for predicting difficult laryngoscopy in geriatric patients.

Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted on 140 patients above 65 years of age of either sex, scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation.