Predicting difficult mask ventilation and intubation using STOP-BANG in obese adults
Enhancing Difficult Airway Prediction in Obese Patients: Integrating STOP-BANG With Additional Airway Assessment Tools
This study will test whether the STOP-BANG questionnaire can predict difficult mask ventilation and difficult intubation in obese adults having elective surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 233 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Karachi, Sindh) |
| Trial ID | NCT07493356 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with BMI ≥30 scheduled for elective surgery will have STOP-BANG scores and standard airway checks (modified Mallampati, thyromental distance, mouth opening, upper lip bite) recorded during preoperative assessment. In the operating room, a blinded anesthesiologist will perform standard induction and record bag-mask ventilation difficulty and intubation grade. Demographic data and intraoperative observations will be collected and correlated with STOP-BANG to estimate diagnostic accuracy. Patients with prior OSA diagnosis, major airway deformities, or emergency/selected specialty surgeries are excluded.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18–60 years old with BMI ≥30, ASA II–III, scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with planned endotracheal intubation who can give informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with known obstructive sleep apnea, ASA IV–V, neuromuscular disease, significant facial or airway deformities, emergency procedures, or limited mouth opening were excluded and may not benefit from these results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, using STOP-BANG could help clinicians identify obese patients at higher risk for difficult airway management so they can plan safer anesthesia strategies.
How similar studies have performed: STOP-BANG is well established for sleep apnea screening and a few prior studies have explored its relation to difficult airway with mixed results, so this approach is partly supported but not yet definitive.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male \& Female aged 18-60 years. * Body mass index 30 or more * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status II-III. * Scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients' refusal to participate. * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) IV \& V. * Neuromuscular diseases or facial abnormalities. * Cardiothoracic, head and neck, or emergency surgery. * Previously diagnosed with OSA (by polysomnography) will be excluded. * Any airway-related anatomical deformity (e.g., Down's syndrome). * History of radiation exposure. * Patient with mouth opening \<2 fingers
Where this trial is running
Karachi, Sindh
- Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation — Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Syed M Abbas, FCPS — Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation
- Study coordinator: Syed M Abbas, FCPS
- Email: smabbas69@hotmail.com
- Phone: 02199215718
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.