Factors identified by reporters as contributing to intubation difficulty from the first 4000 incidents reported to AIMS
| Contributing factor | No of reports |
|---|---|
| *Cervical spine instability, facial carcinoma, congenital microsomia, ruptured trachea, and hair in a “bun” were each reported on one occasion. | |
| Obesity | 24 |
| Limited neck mobility | 17 |
| Limited mouth opening | 15 |
| Inexperience of laryngoscopist | 14 |
| Inadequate assistance | 13 |
| Drug errors | 13 |
| Poor/prominent dentition | 11 |
| Equipment deficiencies | 8 |
| Laryngeal tumour | 8 |
| Recent traumatic intubation | 8 |
| Neck mass | 3 |
| Beard | 2 |
| Masseter spasm | 2 |
| Others* | 5 |