Comparing Body Measurements to Predict Airway Difficulty in Obese Patients

This is an observational study — researchers are not testing a new medication, but rather examining how well two different ways of measuring body shape can predict how difficult it will be to manage your airway during general anesthesia. Researchers will compare a newer body measurement method called the Body Roundness Index (BRI) with the more familiar Body Mass Index (BMI) to see which one better predicts airway challenges.

People with obesity often have changes in their airway anatomy that can make anesthesia more complicated. BMI alone isn't always a reliable predictor of these difficulties, so researchers are exploring whether a newer, more detailed body measurement might work better at identifying patients who may have airway challenges.