Cervical collar makes difficult airway: a simulation study using the LEMON criteria.

OBJECTIVE: Endotracheal intubation is extremely difficult to perform in patients wearing a cervical collar for a head and neck injury. Therefore, we analyzed actual measurements using the look externally, evaluate 3-3-2, Mallampati score, obstruction, and neck mobility (LEMON) criteria before and after cervical collar application to investigate the causes of a difficult airway.
METHODS: This simulation study was performed in 76 healthy volunteers. We measured the mouth opening, modified Mallampati classification, and neck extension before and after cervical collar application.
RESULTS: The mean inter-incisor distance significantly decreased from 4.3 to 2.6 cm (P<0.001). Fifty-seven participants classified as I and II were newly classified as III and IV according to the modified Mallampati classification after cervical collar application (16% to 91%). The angles of neck extension significantly decreased from 44° to 22° after cervical collar application (P<0.001). Before cervical collar application, our simulations predicted that 14 of 76 participants (18%) would have a difficult airway, whereas after cervical collar application, 76 of 76 (100%) were predicted to have a difficult airway.
CONCLUSION: All values for the LEMON criteria (mouth opening, modified Mallampati classification, and neck extension) worsened significantly after cervical collar application. Additionally, a difficult airway was predicted in all participants after cervical collar application.

INTRODUCTION

According to the advanced trauma life support guidelines, a cervical collar should be applied to trauma patients with head and neck injuries from the time of the incident until exclusion of a cervical injury to prevent permanent neurologic damage [1,2]. However endotracheal intubation is extremely difficult to perform in patients wearing a cervical collar [3]. In the clinical setting, direct intubation of a patient wearing a cervical collar could fail. The cervical collar interferes with the optimal intubating condition, i.e., alignment of the oral, pharyngeal, and tracheal axes and sniffing position [4]. Maneuvers such as manual in-line stabilization (MILS) and novel airway devices have been introduced and compared for managing the difficult airway with a cervical collar [5]. However, the optimal method is controversial. The purpose of this study was to present a theoretical basis for solving the difficulty resulting from cervical collar application by providing specific data about different airway parameters.

To investigate the causes of a difficult airway, we analyzed parameters of the look externally, evaluate 3-3-2, Mallampati score, obstruction, and neck mobility (LEMON) criteria before and after cervical collar application [6].

METHODS

Study design

This simulation study was conducted at a general hospital from March 2015 to February 2016. The study population included healthy volunteers aged older than 18 years. Eighty-three volunteers who agreed to participate were enrolled, seven of whom were excluded because of a history of cervical operation (n=2), temporomandibular joint disorder (n=4), and recent trauma of the head and neck (n=1) according to our exclusion criteria. Thus, 76 volunteers were enrolled (Fig. 1). All participants provided informed consent and were not provided any compensation for participating in the study. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the institutional review board (H-1410-047-003).

Fig. 1.

Study enrollment and methods. TMJ, temporomandibular joint; BMI, body mass index.

Simulation methods

We analyzed differences in the measured LEMON parameters before and after cervical collar application. We chose the following LEMON parameters, which are used to predict a difficult airway: mouth opening, modified Mallampati classification, obesity and neck extension [7,8]. The mean of the values measured by two different physicians were accepted as the final values. The measurement methods for each parameter are shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2.

Measurement methods for mouth opening, Mallampati score, and degree of neck extension with and without the cervical collar. (A) Measurement methods for evaluating mouth opening and Mallampati score without the cervical collar. (B) Measurement methods for evaluating mouth opening and Mallampati score with the cervical collar. (C) Measurement method for evaluating degree of neck extension with and without the cervical collar.

Basic body measurements

An automated height-weight machine was used to measure basic body parameters. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the following formula: BMI=weight (kg)÷height2 (m2).

Mouth opening (3-3-2 evaluation)

We evaluated whether three fingers could be easily passed into each participant’s mouth while they were in a sitting position with maximal mouth opening. The value of one’s inter-incisor distance (i.e., from the lower border of the upper incisors to the upper border of the lower incisors) was also measured using vernier calipers.

Modified Mallampati classification

The modified Mallampati classification is a visual assessment of the distance from the tongue base to the roof of the mouth. Participants were instructed to open their mouths as wide as possible and to protrude their tongue to a maximum while in the sitting position. The airway was classified in accordance with the pharyngeal structures seen: class I, soft palate, fauces, uvula, and pillars; class II, soft palate, fauces, and uvula; class III, soft palate and base of the uvula; and class IV, soft palate not visible at all [9]. The Mallampati classification was determined by two different physicians. They discussed any disagreement in the scoring and then came to an agreement on a classification.

Neck extension

The angle of neck extension was evaluated in the supine position with the head in a neutral position and maximally extended. A reference line to assess the degree of the angle was determined using glasses fixed to the participant’s head. Two photographs of each participant, with and without a cervical collar (neutral position and maximally extended position), were taken using a digital camera that was locked in place on a tripod. These photographs were mixed, and a photomontage was created using a computer. We assessed the angle by measuring the distance between the two reference lines drawn on the two photographs.

Cervical collar application

We used the Ambu Perfit ACE cervical collar (Ambu Inc., Ballerup, Denmark), which is commonly used in South Korea [10]. The sizing and fitting of the collar was determined by two physicians according to the manufacturer’s manual. First, one physician stabilized the participant’s head and neck, gently holding the head and neck in the neutral alignment position. Second, the other physician adjusted the collar to the appreciate size and measured the distance between the lower border of the chin and the top of the shoulder. Finally, the cervical collar was placed on the volunteer.

Definition

We defined a difficult airway as the presence of any of the following parameters from previous studies: obesity [11], BMI ≥30 kg/m2; mouth opening [4], three fingerbreadths or less; modified Mallampati classification [4], class III or higher; or neck extension [12], < 35°.

Statistical analysis

Measured data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Continuous variables are presented as mean±standard deviation. Differences between the non-collar and collar groups were analyzed using the Student’s paired t-test (normal distribution), Wilcoxon signed-rank test (non-normal distribution), sign test (ordinal variables), or McNemar test (categorical variables). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine which independent factors (among sex, age, BMI, and cervical collar size) were associated with difficult intubation. A Pvalue less than 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics and measurements

Seventy-six volunteers participated, including 40 men (53%) and 36 women (47%). The mean age of the participants was 36±13 years; mean height and weight were 168±9 cm and 64±13 kg, respectively, and mean BMI was 22.4±3.0 kg/m2. We used 0 neckless, 25 small, 38 regular, and 13 tall collars (Table 1). The measurement values for the simulation study are presented in Table 2.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of participants

Characteristics		Value
Male/female		40 (53)/36 (47)
Age (yr)		36 ±13
Height (cm)		168 ± 9
Weight (kg)		64 ±13
Body mass index (kg/m2)		22.4 ± 3
Neck collar size	Neckless	0
	Small	25
	Regular	38
	Tall	13

Values are represented as number (%), mean±standard deviation, or number.

Table 2.

The LEMON assessment data

Criteria			No collar (n=76)	Collar (n=76)	P-value
E	Mouth opening (cm)		4.3 ± 0.5	2.6 ± 0.5	< 0.001
M	Mallampati score	I	33 (43.4)	0	< 0.001
		II	31 (40.8)	7 (9.2)
		III	12 (15.8)	60 (78.9)
		IV	0	9 (11.8)
N	Neck extension (°)		44.0 ± 3.0	22.0 ± 3.0	< 0.001

Values are represented as mean±standard deviation or number (%).

LEMON, look externally, evaluate 3-3-2, Mallampati score, obstruction, and neck mobility.

Mouth opening

Seventy-four participants (97.3%) without a cervical collar had a mouth opening of three fingerbreadths. Only six participants (7.9%) had a mouth opening of three fingerbreadths opening after cervical collar application. The mean inter-incisor distance significantly decreased from 4.3±0.5 cm to 2.6±0.5 cm after cervical collar application (P<0.001) (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3.

Inter-incisor distance before and after cervical collar application.

Fifty-seven participants classified as I and II were changed to class III and IV after cervical collar application (16% to 91%) (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4.

Mallampati score before and after cervical collar application.

The angle of neck extension significantly decreased from 44° to 22° after cervical collar application (P<0.001) (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5.

Angle of neck extension before and after cervical collar application.

Anticipated difficult intubation

A difficult airway was anticipated in 14 participants (18%) not wearing a cervical collar, which increased to 76 (100%) after cervical collar application (Table 3). Multiple logistic regression analysis did not identify any particular risk factors (sex, age, BMI, and neck collar size) associated with a difficult airway.

Table 3.

Anticipated difficult intubation by the LEMON criteria

Criteria		No collar (n=76)	Collar (n=76)
E	Incisor distance < 3 finger breadths	2 (3)	70 (92)
M	Mallampati score ≥ class III	12 (16)	69 (91)
O	Body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2	1 (1)	1 (1)
N	Neck extension < 35°	1 (1)	76 (100)
	Anticipated difficult airway	14 (18)	76 (100)

Values are represented as number (%).

LEMON, look externally, evaluate 3-3-2, Mallampati score, obstruction, and neck mobility.

DISCUSSION

A cervical collar is used to prevent neurological damage in individuals with head and neck injuries by limiting movement of the neck by external forces [2]. However, it makes intubation difficult by limiting motion (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending) and may increase the risk of hypoxemia because of difficult glottic visualization [13,14].

A normal adult has a mouth opening that can accommodate three fingerbreadths in the center of the mouth, which is equivalent to 4–6 cm [15]. If the maximum mouth opening is less than 3 cm, the patient is considered to have significant temporomandibular joint dysfunction. If it is less than 2.5 cm, it is expected that the larynx will not be able to be visualized through conventional laryngoscopy. Lastly, if it is less than 2 cm, the insertion of a Macintosh 3 or 4 blade and intubation with a laryngeal mask can be difficult, and an alternative method may be required [16,17]. A cervical collar can cause limitations in mouth opening. According to Goutcher and Lochhead [18], the mouth opening decreased from 4.1±0.7 cm to 2.6±0.8 cm (Stiffneck collar), 2.9±0.9 cm (Miami collar), and 2.9±0.9 cm (Philadelphia collar) after applying collars to patients. Additionally, in a recent multicenter randomized controlled study, it was found that the mouth opening decreased from 4.6±0.7 cm to 2.3±0.3 cm after cervical collar application [19]. Likewise, in our study, the mouth opening decreased from 4.3±0.5 to 2.6±0.5 cm, showing a significant decrease similar to that reported in previous studies. The mean inter-incisor distance in the cervical collar group in our study decreased to less than 3 cm (an expected difficult airway). In 39 participants (51%), the distance was 2.5 cm or less (expected failure of conventional laryngoscope), and in seven participants (9%), it was less than 2 cm (insertion of a Macintosh 3 or 4 blade or intubating with a laryngeal mask is difficult). According to these results, approximately 50% of participants with a cervical collar were expected to fail direct conventional laryngoscopic intubation while wearing a cervical collar. Therefore, alternative methods, such as using novel intubating devices or MILS, should be considered in these types of cases.

The modified Mallampati classification is determined by the degree of mouth opening and size of the tongue and oral pharynx [9,20]. However, with the cervical collar, it is expected that the limitations of mouth opening and movement of the tongue will result in a higher classification. Komatsu et al. [21] reported that the Mallampati classification was higher in the case of cervical collar application. Similarly, in our study, the number of participants with a Mallampati class III or higher, which indicates an expected difficult airway, increased from 16% to 91% after cervical collar application. The number of participants with a class IV, which indicates a greater than 10% failure of endotracheal intubation, increased from 0 to 9 (12%).

The normal range of neck extension is 35° or higher. Additionally, if this range is decreased by more than one-third, it is expected that intubation will be difficult [12]. In previous studies on Western populations, the reduction rate was around 56% to 67% [22]. In a similar study of Asian subjects, the reduction rate was 65% to 70% [10]. In our study, the range of extension without a cervical collar was 44°, which was reduced to 22° (50%) after cervical collar application. Additionally, only one participant (1.3%) in the non-collar group had a neck extension less than 35°, whereas all participants in the collar group (100%) had a neck extension less than 35° (range, 1.7° to 2.8°), indicating that the cervical collar application itself is the main factor resulting in difficult airway management.

In our study, a difficult airway according to the LEMON criteria was observed in 14 of 76 participants (18.4%) among the general population. However, after cervical collar application, this increased to 100% of 76 participants. Therefore, cervical collars, which are used to maintain alignment of the cervical spine and prevent neurologic damage, can increase problems with airway management. Interestingly, no studies have clearly shown suitable methods for intubating patients with a cervical collar.

It is well known that the use of MILS or the use of novel devices is recommended in guidelines for securing the airway in trauma victims with a cervical collar [23-25]. However, there is much controversy about the superiority of these maneuvers or devices. MILS may not properly support full immobilization because of increases in pressure transmitted to the cervical spine by the laryngoscope [26]. Moreover, MILS cannot be performed alone without skilled assistants [27]. Novel devices take time for personnel to be trained in their use and are not always available in most emergency departments [5].

Many studies on optimal intubating methods for patients in such cases mainly focused on the demonstration of superiority by comparing novel devices with conventional laryngoscopes [28]. However, our study aimed to provide specific values on why the use of a conventional laryngoscope is difficult. Further research on the new maneuvers and novel devices is needed to overcome the difficulties presented in this study.

There were some limitations of our study. First, a limited number of participants volunteered for this study. Although the size of our population was relatively larger compared with that of similar studies, a study with a larger population is necessary. Second, the body measurements of Koreans do not represent those of the general population. However, this is also one of the strengths of this study, as there have not been any full-scale studies on Asian subjects. Lastly, we used only a cervical collar by Ambu Inc., and there is a large variety of cervical collars available. However, we focused on the efficacy of neck immobilization rather than comparing the different types of collars. Therefore, we used one of the most widely used products in Korea. In the future, it would be an interesting research topic to determine what differences may exist in the LEMON criteria between various cervical collars.

In the present simulation study, all measured values (mouth opening, modified Mallampati classification, and neck extension) of the LEMON criteria worsened significantly with cervical collar application. Additionally, a difficult airway was predicted in 18.4% and 100% of cases before and after cervical collar application, respectively.

An additional study of the use of cervical collars and novel intubating devices is necessary.