Videolaryngoscopy at Unanticipated Difficult Airway

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University (25-MOBAEK-124). Data were collected by reviewing hospital automation systems, patient records, and difficult airway forms for patients who underwent elective surgery under general anesthesia and experienced unanticipated difficult airway (UDA) between January 2020 and March 2025. Patients with incomplete data, a prior history of difficult airway, or preoperative findings indicating a difficult airway were excluded from the study. Demographic variables-including age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, and ASA scores-as well as airway examination findings such as Mallampati scores and Cormack-Lehane grades, were analyzed. Additionally, intubation methods, instruments used, and challenges encountered during airway management were evaluated. The effects of direct laryngoscopy (DL) and videolaryngoscopy (VL) on glottic visualization, intubation success, and complication rates were also compared.

In the relevant clinic, preoperative airway evaluation is performed by assessing the Mallampati classification, thyromental distance, sternomental distance, inter-incisor gap and angle, neck circumference, atlanto-occipital joint mobility, upper lip bite test, retrognathia, prominent upper incisors, high and narrow palate, macroglossia, hoarseness, dyspnea on exertion, and history of difficult airway. In patients without any predictors of difficult airway, routine intubation is performed using DL in the sniffing position. The management of patients with UDA is conducted according to a specific institutional protocol. In appropriate cases where mask ventilation and oxygenation can be maintained, a hyper-angulated C-MAC® D-Blade videolaryngoscope (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) is used as a rescue technique in patients who cannot be intubated using DL. If tracheal intubation cannot be achieved with videolaryngoscopy or other methods and the patient is awakened, and if the surgical procedure still requires general anesthesia, awake intubation using fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) is planned.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged 18 to 90 years
• Patients with unanticipated difficult airway

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with missing data
• Patients with a history of difficult airway
• Patients with signs of difficult airway on preoperative evaluation