Upper airway ultrasound and routine measurements to predict difficult intubation
Assessment Of Difficult Airway Predictors: A Prospective Comparison Of Upper Airway Ultrasound And Conventional Anthropometric Measures
This will test whether ultrasound measurements of the tongue and neck can better predict difficult laryngoscopy and intubation in adults having elective surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi Gulhane Tip Fakultesi Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara) |
| Trial ID | NCT07309978 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This prospective observational study will enroll adults undergoing elective surgery who require general anesthesia. Before airway management, clinicians will record upper airway ultrasound measurements such as tongue thickness, anterior neck soft tissue thickness, and hyomental distance alongside standard clinical predictors including Mallampati score, thyromental distance, and neck circumference. The primary outcome is the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-based measurements for predicting difficult laryngoscopy and intubation. Findings may inform whether upper airway ultrasound should be integrated into routine pre-anesthetic airway evaluation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–99 scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with ASA I–III who can give informed consent are eligible.
Not a fit: Patients undergoing emergency surgery, ASA IV–V, pregnant or breastfeeding patients, those with known airway anomalies or prior major neck surgery, or those unable to cooperate are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve prediction of difficult airways and reduce unexpected intubation problems during anesthesia.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies have shown promising results for airway ultrasound measurements, but findings have been variable and the approach is not yet universally adopted.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18-99 years * Patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia * ASA Physical Status I-III * Able to provide informed consent * Undergoing preoperative airway evaluation Exclusion Criteria: * \- Emergency surgery cases * Age \<18 years * ASA Physical Status IV-V * Pregnant or breastfeeding patients * Patients with limited cooperation or inability to provide consent * Known anatomical airway anomalies or previous major neck surgery
Where this trial is running
Ankara
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
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.