Comparison of a Computerized Image Analysis to Conventional Airway Examination Techniques to Predict Difficult Endotracheal Intubation
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Summary
The aim of this project is to develop a computer algorithm that can accurately predict how easy or difficult it is to intubate a patient based upon digital photographs from three different perspectives. Such an application can provide a consistent, quantitative measure of intubation difficulty by analyzing facial features in captured photographs - features which have previously been shown to correlate with how easy or how hard it would be to perform the intubation procedure. This is in contrast to established subjective protocols that also serve to predict intubation difficulty, albeit with lower accuracy. A digital application has the potential to decrease potential complications related to intubation difficulty and increase patient safety.
Description
Both control and experimental cohorts will be recruited in this study. In order to drive clinical acceptance of this technique, the investigators will need to study and then demonstrate applicability to all patients regardless of race or gender. This will require the recruitment of a control population of patients who have been demonstrated at surgery to be easy to intubate. Such patients are in relative abundance. The experimental group will consist of patients who are found at surgery to be difficult to intubate. In addition, a prospective cohort will be recruited without prior knowledge of…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients requiring endotracheal intubation * Patients consenting to acquisition of photographic images of the head and neck Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who had undergone head or neck surgery * Patients in whom central venous catheters or other interventions that prevent full view of the features of the face in frontal and profile views * Patients who were neither easy nor difficult to intubate by our criteria
Interventions
- Otherphotographing head and neck
Taking three photographs of head and neck-one photograph from front, one from left and one fron right. The photographs are analyzed by facial structure software to create face model.
Location
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical CenterWinston-Salem, North Carolina