Modified Mallampati scoring system
This predicts about 50% of difficult intubations. The test can be performed with the patient in the upright or supine position. It is based upon the visibility of the pharyngeal structures with the mouth open as wide as possible (Fig. 1.1). Patients are classified as follows:
Modidied mallampati scoring system
•Grade 1: faucial pillars, soft palate and uvula visible
•Grade 2: faucial pillars, soft palate visible, but uvula masked by the base of the tongue
•Grade 3: soft palate only visible
• Grade 4: soft palate not visible
Patients in Grades 3 and 4 are considered difficult to intubate and those in Grades 1 and 2 are considered feasible intubations. It is important to realise that this system is not infallible and patients in Grade 2 sometimes cannot be intubated.
