Role of Ultrasound in Airway Assessment

Abstract

Airway management remains a cornerstone of safe anesthesia practice. Unanticipated difficult intubation continues to be a major cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Traditional bedside airway assessment methods such as the Mallampati classification and thyromental distance have limited predictive value. Recently, ultrasonography (USG) has emerged as a promising, non-invasive, and reproducible tool for real-time visualization of airway anatomy and prediction of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation.