Unanticipated Difficult Laryngoscopy in a Diabetic Patient Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Abstract

Difficult laryngoscopy has been shown to be more frequent in cardiac surgery versus general
surgery. In one study, the incidence of difficult laryngoscopy in cardiac surgery was almost
double that compared to general surgery patients.1 The incidence of difficult laryngoscopy is
also higher in diabetic patients, with an incidence reported to be as high as 30% in long-term
diabetics.2 In Singapore, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients presenting for coronary
artery bypass grafting (CABG) is high and despite a seemingly normal airway examination
based on head and neck examination, one may encounter unexpected difficulties.