Comparison of Upper Lip Bite Test and Modified Mallampati Classification as Predictor of Difficult Intubation in Patients for Surgery under General Anaesthesia

Background and aims: Securing unobstructed airway is of prime importance for Anaesthesiologist, thus difficult endotracheal intubation remains an important concern. It contributes significantly to peri -operative mortality and morbidity. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of ULBT with MMT for predicting difficult intubation in adult patient needing surgery under general anaesthesia. Materials and method: The present study was a prospective observational study conducted at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat, Assam.63 patients were included in this study. Result: In this study, 7 (11.1%) patients were in difficult and 56 (88.9%) patients were in easy Cormack Lehane Score Group. ULBT Grade had sensitivity of 28.6 %, specificity of 98.2%, positive predictive value of 66.7, negative predictive value of 91.7 and accuracy of 90.5. MMT had sensitivity of 57.1%, specificity of 87.5%, positive predictive value of 36.4 %, negative predictive value of 94.2 %and accuracy of 84.1%. Conclusion: Though the sensitivity of MMT is higher than the ULBT, later has got better positive predictive ability for difficult endotracheal intubation. Though ULBT showed higher specificity than MMT, both ULBT and MMT had fairly high specificity. MMT and ULBT appear to be better predictors for easy intubations rather than difficult intubations.