A De Jong1, N Molinari2, Y Pouzeratte1, D Verzilli1, G Chanques1, B Jung3, E Futier1, P-F Perrigault4, P Colson5, X Capdevila6, S Jaber7. 1. Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department B, Saint Eloi Teaching Hospital, Montpellier F-34295, France. 2. Department of Medical Statistics, La Colombière University Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Montpellier, Montpellier F-34295, France. 3. Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department B, Saint Eloi Teaching Hospital, Montpellier F-34295, France Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1046. 4. Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department C, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, Montpellier F-34295, France. 5. Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department D, Arnaud de Villeneuve Teaching Hospital. 6. Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department A, Lapeyronie Teaching Hospital, and Université Montpellier 1, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Montpellier, Montpellier F-34295, France. 7. Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department B, Saint Eloi Teaching Hospital, Montpellier F-34295, France Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1046, s-jaber@chu-montpellier.fr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intubation procedure in obese patients is a challenging issue both in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in the operating theatre (OT). The objectives of the study were (i) to compare the incidence of difficult intubation and (ii) its related complications in obese patients admitted to ICU and OT. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre prospective observational cohort study in ICU and OT in obese (BMI≥30 kg m(-2)) patients. The primary endpoint was the incidence of difficult intubation. Secondary endpoints were the risk factors for difficult intubation, the use of difficult airway management techniques, and severe life-threatening complications related to intubation (death, cardiac arrest, severe hypoxaemia, severe cardiovascular collapse). RESULTS: In cohorts of 1400 and 11 035 consecutive patients intubated in ICU and in the OT, 282 (20%) and 2103 (19%) were obese. In obese patients, the incidence of difficult intubation was twice more frequent in ICU than in the OT (16.3% vs 8.2%, P<0.01). In both cohorts, risk factors for difficult intubation were Mallampati score III/IV, obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, and reduced mobility of cervical spine, while limited mouth opening, severe hypoxaemia, and coma appeared only in ICU. Specific difficult airway management techniques were used in 66 (36%) cases of difficult intubation in obese patients in the OT and in 10 (22%) cases in ICU (P=0.04). Severe life-threatening complications were significantly more frequent in ICU than in the OT (41.1% vs 1.9%, relative risk 21.6, 95% confidence interval 15.4-30.3, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In obese patients, the incidence of difficult intubation was twice more frequent in ICU than in the OT and severe life-threatening complications related to intubation occurred 20-fold more often in ICU. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current controlled trials. Identifier: NCT01532063.
BACKGROUND: Intubation procedure in obesepatients is a challenging issue both in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in the operating theatre (OT). The objectives of the study were (i) to compare the incidence of difficult intubation and (ii) its related complications in obesepatients admitted to ICU and OT. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre prospective observational cohort study in ICU and OT in obese (BMI≥30 kg m(-2)) patients. The primary endpoint was the incidence of difficult intubation. Secondary endpoints were the risk factors for difficult intubation, the use of difficult airway management techniques, and severe life-threatening complications related to intubation (death, cardiac arrest, severe hypoxaemia, severe cardiovascular collapse). RESULTS: In cohorts of 1400 and 11 035 consecutive patients intubated in ICU and in the OT, 282 (20%) and 2103 (19%) were obese. In obesepatients, the incidence of difficult intubation was twice more frequent in ICU than in the OT (16.3% vs 8.2%, P<0.01). In both cohorts, risk factors for difficult intubation were Mallampati score III/IV, obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, and reduced mobility of cervical spine, while limited mouth opening, severe hypoxaemia, and coma appeared only in ICU. Specific difficult airway management techniques were used in 66 (36%) cases of difficult intubation in obesepatients in the OT and in 10 (22%) cases in ICU (P=0.04). Severe life-threatening complications were significantly more frequent in ICU than in the OT (41.1% vs 1.9%, relative risk 21.6, 95% confidence interval 15.4-30.3, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In obesepatients, the incidence of difficult intubation was twice more frequent in ICU than in the OT and severe life-threatening complications related to intubation occurred 20-fold more often in ICU. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current controlled trials. Identifier: NCT01532063.