Comparison of various predictors of difficult airway in geriatric patients

Unanticipated difficult airway can result in significant morbidity and mortality to the patients. So preoperative assessment of patient’ airway is very crucial for anaesthesiologists. The elderly population is gradually increasing. As a result the importance of evaluating the difficulty in the elderly has been increasing. Although the evidence is still limited previous studies have shown the elder patients predisposing to have difficult airway. Difficult endotracheal intubation is expected in geriatric patients due to degenerative changes such as dental loss and head and neck changes. Results of this study will help us in evaluating validity indexes of common airway predictors of difficult airway in elderly patients. Accurate  prediction of difficult airway in geriatric patients can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with airway management as these patients are already at increased risk.