A Study Comparing Time to Intubate With and Without a Barrier Box

Time to intubate refers to the time it takes to insert a tube into a patient's trachea to help them breathe. Intubation is a procedure routinely used before surgery to help keep the airway open. The study will compare the time to intubate in two groups, barrier box and no barrier box. In medical terms, time to intubate is the time from loss of twitches confirmed with a peripheral nerve stimulator to confirmation of end tidal carbon dioxide.

All participants were intubated successfully on the first attempt.

During induction time, there were no patients who needed bag mask ventilation. Bag mask ventilation is a technique used to provide oxygen and ventilation to patients who are not breathing adequately. Induction is the process of transitioning a patient from consciousness to unconsciousness at the beginning of a general anesthetic. The induction time is defined in medical terms as the time taken from propofol bolus to loss of twitches measured with a peripheral nerve stimulator.

During process of inserting a tube in a patient's trachea (intubation) before surgery and the process of being given anesthesia (induction), there is a point where a patient's blood oxygen level drops to its lowest point during the process. This is referred to as the lowest oxygen saturation. In medical terms this is the lowest peripheral capillary oxygen saturation during the induction time defined as the time taken from propofol bolus to loss of twitches measured with a peripheral nerve stimulator.

The maximum blood oxygen level is 100%. Normal range is 95% - 100%. Low oxygen level (hypoxemia)is below 95%.

Induction is the process of transitioning a patient from consciousness to unconsciousness at the beginning of a general anesthetic. The induction time is defined in medical terms as the time taken from propofol bolus to loss of twitches measured with a peripheral nerve stimulator.

Airway assessment by Mallampati score (scale of 0 to 4) used to assess and prepare for possible difficult intubation of participants who score high. Lower scores are less likely to have a difficult intubation and higher scores are more likely to have a difficult intubation.

Mallampati 0: Any part of the epiglottis is visible Mallampati 1: soft palate, uvula, and pillars are visible Mallampati 2: soft palate and uvula are visible Mallampati 3: only the soft palate and base of the uvula are visible Mallampati 4: only the hard palate is visible.

Thyromental Distance (TMD) is the distance from the thyroid notch to the chin when the head is extended. TMD is used to assess and prepare for possible difficult intubation. A distance of greater than 3 finger breadth may be less likely to have a difficult intubation. A distance less than or equal to 3 finger breadth may be more likely to have a difficult intubation.

Number of participants with TMD greater than 3 finger breadth will be assessed in both groups (Barrier Box and No Barrier Box).

Inter incisor distance is the distance between the upper and lower teeth of the open mouth of a patient. Inter incisor distance is used to assess and prepare for possible difficult intubation of participants who are less than or equal to 3 finger breadth. A distance greater than 3 finger breadth may be less likely to have a difficult airway or airway constriction.

Number of participants with Inter incisor distance greater than 3 finger breadth will be assessed in both groups (Barrier Box and No Barrier Box).

Neck range of motion is the degree of movement in the neck - how much the head can flex (bend forward), extend (tilt backwards), and rotate side to side. Neck range of motion helps assess and prepare for possible difficult intubation. Full range of motion is less likely for a difficult intubation. Restricted range of motion indicates a possible difficult intubation.

Number of patients with Neck range of motion (categorized as full or restricted) will be assessed in both groups (Barrier Box and No Barrier Box)