Mask ventilation and laryngoscopy can be challenging in morbidly obese patients because of excessive fat tissue. There are studies suggesting that neck circumference is associated with difficult mask ventilation, difficult laryngoscopy and difficult intubation. The aim of our study is to evaluate predictive values of neck circumference, Mallampati scores, neck movements, dentition, upper lip bite test, breast, thorax, waist, hip circumferences, mouth opening, sternomental and thyromental distances for difficult mask ventilation and difficult laryngoscopy in female and male Turkish morbidly obese patients. Two hundred and twenty (37 male and 83 female) patients were included in our study. 120 (37 male, 83 female) patients were included to study. Difficult mask ventilation was more frequent in males (21,6%) compared to females (2,4%). Difficult laryngoscopy was more frequent in male (10,8%) than female (3,6%) patients. Mouth opening lower than 6,5cm was found as a significant predictor for difficult mask ventilation in male patients.Mallampati scores III and IV were found as a significant predictors for difficult laryngoscopy in female patients. Neck circumference was not found a statistically significant predictor for difficult mask ventilation and difficult laryngoscopy.

Correlation of neck circumference with difficult mask ventilation and difficult laryngoscopy in morbidly obese Turkish patients: a prospective clinical trial