• J T Roberts, H H Ali, and G D Shorten.
• Department of Anesthesia, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
• J Clin Anesth. 1993 Jul 1;5(4):306-9.

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate a simple device, the bubble inclinometer, to measure degrees of laryngeal tilt (LT) for predicting difficulty of direct laryngoscopy using a Macintosh #3 laryngoscope.DesignRandomized, double-blind study.SettingInpatient surgery center at a university medical center.Patients50 renal lithotripter patients.InterventionsPatients were measured with the bubble inclinometer and the laryngeal indices caliper. A sleep dose of thiopental sodium (4 mg/kg) and a muscle-relaxing dose of succinylcholine (1 mg/kg) were then given to each patient.Measurements And Main ResultsLT was measured by both methods (directly and indirectly). Difficulty of laryngoscopy was graded as follows: Grade 1 = all of vocal cords seen; Grade 2 = part of vocal cords seen; Grade 3 = no part of vocal cords seen.ConclusionsThe bubble inclinometer accurately and reproducibly measures relative LT, and the anterior tilt of the larynx directly correlates with the ability to see the laryngeal opening during direct laryngoscopy with a Macintosh #3 laryngoscope.

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