Utilization of submandibular ultrasound to measure oral cavity changes with interventions in routine airway management

Authors

Alexandra Helbing, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Esther Lee, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California.
Raymond Pla, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, Washington, DC.
Eric Heinz, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, Washington, DC.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Journal

Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center)

Volume

35

Issue

1

DOI

10.1080/08998280.2021.1980318

Keywords

Airway management; oral cavity; point-of-care ultrasound; submandibular sonography

Abstract

Ultrasound is a quick, noninvasive, inexpensive tool that can provide an accurate airway assessment. Tongue thickness, oral cavity height, and their relationship were measured using submandibular ultrasonography with and without oral airway interventions during intubation in 26 patients. The mean tongue thickness to oral cavity height ratio was 0.83 ± 0.03. The percent change of tongue thickness to oral cavity height decreased significantly by 36.47% with an oral airway and by 43.49% with laryngoscope interventions ( < 0.01). This study demonstrates how ultrasound-measured oral cavity ratios change with the placement of airway equipment, and application of these findings may advance our understanding of advanced airway management among diverse patient populations.

APA Citation

Helbing, Alexandra; Lee, Esther; Pla, Raymond; and Heinz, Eric, "Utilization of submandibular ultrasound to measure oral cavity changes with interventions in routine airway management" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 500.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/500

Department

Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine