El-Ganzouri index effectiveness for predicting the degree difficulty in tracheal intubation

Abstract

Introduction: Difficult airway Intubation is a health problem. To prevent it, different rate values have been used.
Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of El-Ganzouri index for predicting the degree of difficulty in tracheal intubation by conventional laryngoscopy.
Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out with patients who needed tracheal intubation, in Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, between February 2014 and 2017. This test combines and stratifies seven variables derived from individually associated observational parameters. Their values were stratified and interpreted (below 4, easy airway; 4 or higher, difficult airway).
Results: We studied 94 patients, in which the El-Ganzouri index was evaluated. The age group of 50-59 years (29.8%) and the male sex (52.1%) predominated. ASA II was more frequent, accounting for 66%. The El Ganzouri index prevailed the oral opening over 4 cm, the tiromentonian distance below 6.5 cm, the Mallamapati class was present in 91.5%, neck movements below 90°, body weight over 90 kg, and no antecedent of history of difficult intubation in 67.0%. Upon corroborating the predictive tests with that of Cormack and Lehane, it was observed that 92.6% of the patients had an easy airway and this condition was obtained in 78.7% with the El Ganzouri index. Sensitivity was 71.43% and specificity was 20.69%. The positive predictive value was 6.76, and the negative predictive value was 90.0.
Conclusions: The usefulness of the multivariate El-Ganzouri risk index was confirmed for the prediction of the degree of difficulty in tracheal intubation by conventional laryngoscopy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were identified, which showed good prediction of anatomically difficult airway.