Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the effect of cricoids pressure and jaw thrust maneuvers on glottis visualization using C-MAC videolaryngoscope.
Methodology: 100 patients aged 18 to 60 years of ASA Grade I and II undergoing elective surgeries under general anaesthesia were enrolled in the study. Before induction of anaesthesia airway assessment was done in all patients by modified Mallampati score. After induction of general anaesthesia, laryngoscopy was performed and the study was done in two parts, the first part consisted of laryngeal viewing with C-MAC videolaryngoscope and grading according to the modified Cormack- Lehane laryngeal grade (CL) with 3 different maneuvers, viz; A. Conventional( on laryngoscopy without any airway manipulation) B. After application of cricoids pressure, and C. After application of jaw thrust ( two handed assisted by an assistant) and Second part consisted of recording of the images of glottis view on all the three maneuvers and assessing the percentage of glottis opening( POGO score) by an expert (senior anaesthesiologist) who is blinded .
Results: The average age of the patients was 41.2+/-5.2, the Modified Cormack lehane grading reduced significantly on C-MAC videolaryngoscopy with both cricoids pressure and jaw thrust but more so with jaw thrust. The POGO score also increased significantly with both both cricoids pressure and jaw thrust but more so with jaw thrust.
Conclusion: Jaw thrust maneuver was superior to cricoids pressure maneuver in improving the glottic visualization during C-MAC videolaryngoscopy.
