Evaluation of the relationship between mallampati score and anthropometric measurements of different somatotypes

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of somatotype character analysis with Modified Mallampati Score and anthropometric measurements in the prediction of difficult intubation. Materials And Methods: A total of 155 male and 155 female patients aged between 18 and 70 years who underwent general anesthesia under elective conditions were included in the study, according to American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status 1-2. Demographic data and Modified Mallampati Score of the patients were recorded. Thyromental distance, sternomental distance, hyomental distance measurements, horizontal mandibular length, upper lip bite test, neck extansion and neck circumference measurements, biacromial distance measurement and thorax anthropometric measurements were recorded. Anthropometric measurements were taken to determine somatotypes according to the Carter and Heath method. Somatotypes was identified with the program "Somatotype for Windows 1.2.6 Trial Version". Statistical analysis of the data was performed in the SPSS 22.0 package program. Results: It was determined that there are five different somatotype characters in males and females. There was no statistically significant difference between the sexes in terms of demographic data (p≥0.05). It was found that there were statistically significant differences in age, body mass index, Modified Mallampati Score, neck circumference measurement, neck extension measurement, Thyromental distance, sternomental distance, hyomental distance, biacromial distance measurement and thorax depth measurement in males with five different somatotype characters. It was also found that there was a statistically significant difference in thorax width measurement in women somatotype groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that somatotype character analysis to be used together with MMS and anthropometric measurements may have a statistically significant effect on preoperative evaluation. Key words: Anthropometry, Modified Mallampati Score, Somatotype, Difficult Intubation