Examining changes in Malampathi score before and after PCNL surgery with spinal anesthesia

Preoperative evaluation by considering anatomical signs and clinical factors related to difficult airway is important in patients with possible difficult airway.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 162 patients referred to Peymaniye Hospital in Jahrom city in 2019. The level of sensory block was calculated using the alcohol test (heat and cold) and pain palpation using a slow needle. The level of movement block was measured using the patient's strength in moving legs, knees and hips. Malampati test evaluation was done before operation, 4, 12, 24 and 48 hours after operation.

Almost half of them had pain sensory block (44.2%), which was 25.8% of cold type and 18.4% of heat type. Among the hemodynamic variables, changes in oxygen saturation percentage before and after PCNL surgery with spinal anesthesia were not significant (p=0.398). The result of Wilcoxon test showed that the changes of Malampathi score before and after PCNL surgery with spinal anesthesia were significant compared to before surgery (p=0.001). The result of the Wilcoxon test showed that the changes in upper lip biting after PCNL surgery with spinal anesthesia were significant compared to before surgery (p=0.001).

In this study, the two tests of Malampati and Labgeze have confirmed the changes in the airway class according to the Peron position in PCNL patients.