COMPARISON OF UPPER LIP BITE TEST WITH OTHER FOUR PREDICTORS FOR PREDICTING DIFFICULTY IN INTUBATION

Unanticipated difficult tracheal intubation remains a primary concern for anaesthesiologists, endangering the life of patients at the crucial moment. The aim of the present study is to compare Upper lip bite test (ULBT) with other four predictors (Modified Mallampati test MMT, Thyromental distance TMD, Sternomental distance SMD, Inter incisor distance IID) for predicting difficulty in intubation. Upper lip Bite test, if proven to be effective, is very helpful to even the junior most Anaesthetist to evaluate the difficulty in tracheal intubation, and thus being ready with all the armamentarium, needed for the difficulty likely to be faced. Hence, leading to better safety of the patient and comfort of the anaesthetist. AIM OF THE STUDY: This prospective study was undertaken at Sri Venkatewara Medical College, Tirupati and S.V.R.R.G.G. Hospital, Tirupati, to determine the ability of Upper Lip bite test, to predict difficult/easy visualization of larynx and intubation and comparing upper lip bite test with four different tests i.e., Modified Mallampati test, sternomental distance, thyromental distance and inter incisor distance.