Point-of-care ultrasound of the upper airway in difficult airway management: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The utility of bedside screening tests for the prediction of difficult airways is limited. There is growing interest in the role of point-of-care-ultrasound in airway assessment and management. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the diagnostic utility and clinical application of various upper airway point-of-care-ultrasound parameters in the prediction of difficult airways.

Methods

We searched databases for randomised controlled trials, observational studies and case series with more than five cases.

Results

In total, 60 studies involving 10,580 patients, evaluating 58 parameters were included. For difficult facemask ventilation, a narrative synthesis showed that increased tongue thickness was associated with an increased incidenc

SUBMITTER: Soni VM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12614418 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature