What can Anthropometric Measurements Tell us About Mallampati Classification?

Objective: Mallampati scoring is the most common examination method for predicting possible intubation problems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of facial anthropometric measurements with the modified Mallampati score (MMS). Material and Methods: The study population consisted of 153 male and 170 female volunteers (mean ages, 48,9±16,9 and 44,1±15,4 years, respectively). All participants were subjected to Mallampati scoring and facial anthropometric measurements during pre-operative visit. Anthropometric measurements included inter-incisor gap, lower face height, thyrogonial length, thyromental distance and bigonial distance. The relationship of anthropometric measurements with the MMS was investigated by statistical analysis.Results: Bigonial distance showed a positive correlation with the MMS (r=0.857; p