Evaluation of the Sterno-Mental Distance in Adult Patients Intubated Under Anesthesia at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the sterno-mental distance in adult patients undergoing endotracheal intubation under anaesthesia in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted, where twenty patients (sixteen males and four females) were selected at random for this study. The Taro yemen’s formula was used in determining the sample size of the study population [S =N/ (1 + Na²)]. Demographic and Anthropometric characteristics (age, gender, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, and sterno-mental distance) were measured, analyzed and presented using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The study reveals gender distribution as: male (80%), female (20%). Age distribution showed that 45% of the patients were aged 46-65 years, 35% were 26-45 years, 15% were ≤ 25 years, and 5% were ≥ 66 years. The mean values for sterno-mental distance (SMD), height, weight, BMI, and waist circumference varied across age groups and genders. Patients aged ≤ 25 years had SMD (5.5 ± 0.9 cm). ≥ 66 years had SMD (8.0 ± 0.0 cm). Males had a mean SMD of 7.1 ± 1.1 cm, while females had 6.2 ± 0.7 cm. Paired sample t-test shows no statistically significant differences between males and females in SMD, height, weight, BMI, or waist circumference. The p-values for all comparisons were greater than 0.05, indicating minimal gender-based variability in these parameters. The absence of statistically significant gender-based differences (p > 0.05) suggests that individual anatomical variability plays a more critical role than broad demographic categorizations. Variations in SMD with age further emphasize the need for tailored approaches in clinical practice, particularly for older patients who may present unique airway challenges.