Acromio Axillo Suprasternal Notch Index As A Predictor Of Difficult Visualisation Of Larynx Compared To Other Conventional Airway Indices An Observational Prospective Study

Abstract

Airway management is the primary responsibility of the newlineanesthesiologist. It includes maintaining airway patency, thereby newlineensuring adequate ventilation and oxygenation. newlineAirway management is encountered by the anesthesiologist newlineduring the conduct of anesthesia or resuscitation of the critically ill newlinepatients every day. newlineTraditionally, the airway is maintained by mask ventilation newlineand tracheal intubation with endotracheal tube. In modern day newlinepractice supraglottic airway devices play a crucial role in airway newlinemanagement. newlineThe gold standard in maintaining definitive airway is newlineendotracheal intubation, inspite of many advances. The endotracheal newlineintubation is conventionally facilitated by direct laryngoscopy. The newlinealternate methods include tracheal intubation using fibreoptic newlinebronchoscope, video laryngoscopy, video endoscopy, intubating newlineLMA and various other airway adjuncts. However the cost and newlineavailability of these airway adjuncts force the anesthesiologist to newlineuse conventional laryngoscopes routinely. Hence, airway assessment newlineand prediction of difficulty in mask ventilation or intubation is of newlineutmost importance. newlineThe purpose of preoperative airway assessment is to diagnose newlinethe potential for difficult airway which facilitates preparedness newlinesuch as: newline1. Proper selection of airway equipments and t echniques, newline2. Procuring additional airway adjuncts and newline3. Participation of experienced anesthesiologist in the newlinemanagement when needed newlineThis study is intended to find out the validity of the new test newline(AASI) in prediction of difficult laryngoscopy or difficult newlinevisualisation of larynx and compare it with other conventional newlineairway indices newline