Mallampati in focus: updates on the use of the scale for difficult airway management

Abstract

The Mallampati scale (MS) is a four-level score (five if the modified MS is used) that aims to predict the difficulty of an orotracheal intubation (OTI) or the difficulty of bag-valve-mask ventilation (BVMV) in the management of a patient's airway (AW) before receiving general anesthesia for a procedure. The present study seeks to review the literature and increase scientific knowledge of the Mallampati scale, especially due to its simplicity and ability to assist in the management of difficult airways. Thus, with more up-to-date data, it is possible to promote better strategies for when to adhere to MS, to increase the preparation of health professionals in order to avoid complications in procedures that will require general anesthesia, and identify whether the scale is still useful for current clinical-surgical practice. To elucidate the information about the use of the Mallampati scale, a systematic methodology was used, carrying out a careful review of the literature using the Scielo electronic database. After reading the five selected articles, the information considered relevant to compose this literature review was tabulated, and it was concluded that the Mallampati scale is still widely studied and used, being a clinical test that is easy to access and quick to apply, with efficacy in predicting difficult airways. However, studies have shown that the scale used individually does not have great predictive value and should be used with other tests in association.