A Prospective Observational Study Comparing the VIDIAC, PeDiAC, and Intubation Difficulty Scale (IDS) in Pediatric Patients Aged 5-18 Years Undergoing Tracheal Intubation With Videolaryngoscopy

This study is a prospective, observational, single-center study designed to compare three difficult intubation scales (VIDIAC [Video Laryngoscopic Intubation and Difficult Airway Classification], PeDiAC [Pediatric Difficult Airway Classification], and the Intubation Difficulty Scale [IDS]).

A total of 450 children undergoing elective or emergency surgery under general anesthesia at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital will be included in the study. All tracheal intubations will be performed using a C-MAC videolaryngoscope with an endotracheal tube appropriate for the child's age, weight, and surgical indication. No procedures beyond routine clinical practice will be performed, and informed consent will be obtained from parents or legal guardians prior to inclusion in the study.

Data collection will include demographic characteristics (age, gender, weight, height, ASA classification, comorbidities), intraoperative parameters (SpO₂, heart rate), and intubation-related variables: Glottic view graded using the modified Cormack-Lehane classification, time required for glottic visualization, total intubation time, number of attempts, use of adjuncts (stylet, bougie, alternative tubes), complications (desaturation, esophageal intubation, mucosal bleeding, tooth or lip trauma).

This study will evaluate difficult tracheal intubation in pediatric patients aged 5 to 18 years. Three difficult intubations The difficulty of intubation will be rated subjectively (0 = extremely easy, 10 = impossible) by the anesthesiologist performing the intubation and independently by an observer.