Evaluation of Inter Incisal Mouth Opening for Airway Maintenance in Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Abstract

Purpose: Determination of difficult airway maintenance preoperatively holds a great significance in different intubation techniques and also surgical exploration of airway. No data is available for relation of airway maintenance and preoperative interincisal mouth opening in oral submucous fibrosis patients. Methods: 20 oral submucous fibrosis patients were evaluated pre operatively for general anaesthesia. Direct nasotracheal intubation, fiberoptic laryngoscopy guided intubation or awake blind nasal intubation technique, or combination of above techniques were used. Results: Mean pre operative inter incisal mouth opening for direct nasotracheal intubation (nine patients) is 15.44 mm, fiberoptic guided laryngoscopy (six patients) is 9.0 mm and blind nasal intubation (five patients) is 5.2 mm. Conclusion: Benefits of avoiding a surgical exploration of airway was significant.