Goitre-Related Factors for Predicting Difficult Intubation in Patients Scheduled for Thyroidectomy in a Resource-Challenged Health Institution in North Central Nigeria

• Published in: Ethiopian journal of health sciences Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 169 - 176
• Main Authors: Olusomi, Bolaji Benjamin, Aliyu, Suleiman Zakari, Babajide, Adegboye Majeed, Sulaiman, Agodirin Olayide, Adegboyega, Olatoke Samuel, Gbenga, Habeeb Olufemi, Adebisi, Rahman Ganiyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ethiopia Research and Publications Office of Jimma University 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Body Mass Index; Female; Goiter - surgery; Humans; Incidence; Intubation, Intratracheal - statistics & numerical data; Male; Middle Aged; Neck - anatomy & histology; Nigeria; Original; Thyroidectomy; Trachea; Young Adult; modified intubation difficulty score; thyroidectomy; Goitre; difficult intubation; predictive factors
• ISSN: 1029-1857; 2413-7170; 1029-1857
• DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v28i2.8

Airway management problems may arise when intubating patients with goitre scheduled for thyroidectomy. Goitres are not uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa, thyroidectomy being the main treatment. The aim of this study was to determine incidences of difficult intubation (DI), failed intubation (FI) and predictors of DI using a modified intubation difficulty score (IDS). One hundred and twenty-five consenting patients with goitre scheduled for thyroidectomy were recruited. Goitre-related factors (GRF) of duration of illness, diagnosis, neck circumference, tracheal deviation and narrowing and retrosternal extension were recorded as well as Mallampati classification and BMI. At intubation, modified IDS was determined for each patient. Patients with modified IDS ≤ 5 were categorized as easy intubation group (E), and those with modified IDS >5 were categorized as difficult intubation group (D). The GRF of all patients in group D were compared with matched patients in group E. Incidence of DI was 13.6% with 2 (1.6%) cases of failed intubation. Comparing groups D and E, duration of illness was 4.28 ± 3.78 years in group D versus 7.44 ± 7.63 years group E, p = 0.1353. Neck circumference was 41.42 ±5.30 cm in group D versus 37.43±2.68 cm in group E, p = 0.0200. Tracheal deviation, narrowing and retrosternal extension, and surgical diagnosis were not significantly different among both groups. Incidence of DI was 13.6% and that of FI was 1.6%. Neck circumference was found to be a predictor of difficult intubation in goitre patients scheduled for thyroidectomy using the modified IDS.