Frequency Of Difficult Airway Among Patients Presenting To The Emergency Department Of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The management of the difficult airway is one of the most critical and challenging aspects of emergency department work. A difficult airway refers to a clinical situation where a healthcare provider encounters significant difficulty with face mask ventilation, tracheal intubation, or both.

Aim: To determine the frequency of difficult airway in patients presenting to the emergency department.

Material and Methods: Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the institutional ethics review board. A total of 196 patients from the emergency department were assessed for airway evaluation and management. Informed consent was obtained from participants. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, including demographic details, airway assessment scores (Mallampati Score, Thyromental Distance, Mouth Opening Score), and classification of airway difficulty (moderate, difficult, or very difficult).

Result: Among 196 patients, the majority were male (73%). Most patients were classified as Mallampati Class III (57.5%) and had a Thyromental Distance of less than 6 cm (58%), both indicating a high likelihood of difficult intubation. Additionally, 57% of patients had a mouth opening of 4 cm, and 44.5% were categorized as having a difficult airway, with 29% classified as very difficult. These findings highlight the prevalence of airway management challenges in emergency settings.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of difficult airways in emergency surgery patients underscores the critical need for thorough preoperative airway assessment and preparation. In this study, a significant proportion of patients were classified as Mallampati Class III, had a Thyromental Distance of less than 6 cm, and displayed limited mouth opening, all of which indicate a higher likelihood of airway management complications.