Table 3 Predictors for difficult intubation, number of complications and lowest documented oxygen saturation during endotracheal intubation

Predictors for difficult intubation

   Short, big neck

23 (20%)

24 (21%)

0.97

   Obesity

16 (14%)

17 (15%)

0.93

   Limited mouth opening

5 (4%)

6 (5%)

0.80

   Limited neck movement

13 (12%)

14 (12%)

0.91

   Large tongue

2 (2%)

9 (8%)

0.04

   Short thyromental distance

6 (5%)

9 (7%)

0.46

   1 predictor

17 (15%)

21 (18%)

0.55

   2 predictors

13 (12%)

10 (9%)

0.45

   > 2 predictors

7 (6%)

12 (10%)

0.26

Complications

   Minor tissue injury

3

1

   Bleeding

3

2

   Regurgitation/aspiration

1

0

   Glottic swelling

1

4

   Endobronchial intubation

0

3

   Esophageal intubation

2

0

   Other

7

4

   Total events

17 (15%)

14 (12%)

0.70

Lowest SpO₂ during intubation

   < 80%

14 (12%)

15 (13%)

0.92

   80 to 90%

27 (24%)

28 (24%)

0.99

   > 90%

72 (64%)

74 (63%)

0.94