Predicting Difficult Intubation in Bariatric Surgery: Comparison of El Ganzouri Risk Index and Airway Ultrasound

This study is designed as a prospective observational study and will be conducted at the Health Sciences University Antalya Training and Research Hospital. Adult patients scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery will be included. The aim of this study is to compare the El Ganzouri Risk Index (EGRI) and airway ultrasonography (USG) parameters in predicting difficult intubation and to evaluate their relationship with the Cormack-Lehane (CL) score obtained during direct laryngoscopy. Before surgery, each participant will be evaluated using both the EGRI scoring system and airway USG. During general anesthesia, tracheal intubation will be performed using direct laryngoscopy, and data including the CL score, intubation time, number of attempts, and the need for videolaryngoscopy will be recorded based on the anesthesiologist's observations. The collected data will be analyzed by classifying participants according to the presence or absence of difficult intubation, and statistical comparisons will be performed between EGRI scores and airway ultrasonography parameters. The results of this study may contribute to improved preoperative airway assessment and enhanced patient safety in bariatric surgery.