Comparison of preoperative ultrasonographic technique, preoperative MRI/CT scan imaging and digital examination technique for nostril selection prior to nasotracheal intubation: A randomised controlled trial

This study is a prospective, interventional, four-arm, single centric randomised controlled study comparing the ease of intubation between four techniques of determining nasal patency in 120 patients undergoing head and neck oncosurgery requiring nasal intubation. The patients shall be randomly allocated into one of the four groups (Group D: Digital group; Group I: Imaging group; Group S: Sonography group and Group F: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy group).  The primary outcome measures would be ease of nasotracheal tube insertion through the selected nostril into the oral cavity. The secondary outcome measures pertaining to the nasotracheal tube would be the number of attempts at intubation, use of a smaller sized endotracheal tube and complications like bleeding/ tissue trauma and endotracheal tube cuff rupture noted immediately after nasotracheal intubation. Another secondary outcome measure would be the ease of nasogastric tube insertion.