COMPARISON OF ULTRASOUND BASED AIRWAY ASSESSMENT PARAMETERS IN PRE-ECLMAPTIC AND NORMOTENSIVE PARTURIENTS

Difficult or unsuccessful tracheal intubation remains one of the most critical challenges faced by anaesthesiologists, particularly in emergency situations, obstetric cases, or when performed by less experienced practitioners. In obstetric patients, poor management of a difficult airway can lead to neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Pregnancy is associated with various changes in anatomical and physiological changes that can complicate airway management. These include increased body weight, breast enlargement, and fluid retention, all of which contribute to soft tissue swelling and mucosal edema. These changes reduce airway calibre and make intubation more difficult. In hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia, the upper airway may become even more narrow compared to normotensive pregnant individuals. A variety of clinical tests and scoring systems are used to anticipate airway difficulty, but none—either alone or in combination—provide complete accuracy due to limitations in sensitivity and specificity. Ultrasonography has gained traction as a non-invasive, real-time tool for airway imaging. Ultrasound offers advantages such as real-time visualization, lack of radiation, and the ability to assess hidden airway structures, including the relationship between the tongue and oral cavity—making it a potentially reliable method for difficult airway prediction.Although ultrasound-based airway assessments have been studied in general adult populations, data specific to pregnant women remains limited. Parameters such as tongue thickness, oral cavity height, and soft tissue dimensions at the epiglottis, vocal cords, and hyoid levels, including the pre-epiglottic space, may offer valuable predictive information.This study aims to evaluate and compare ultrasound-based airway parameters in term normotensive parturients with those in parturients diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.