The thyromental height test (TMHT) has been proposed as a novel single clinical test for predicting difficult laryngoscopy (DL), though consequent studies have put forward various estimates when verifying its reliability. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the predictive value of TMHT for DL. A computerized search of CNKI, CQVIP, EBSCO, PubMed, SinoMed, and Wanfang Data was conducted on 1 June 2022. Prospective cohort studies reporting diagnostic properties of TMHT in relation to Cormack and Lehane grading in patients aged more than 16 years, either sex, scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia, requiring tracheal intubation with direct laryngoscopy were included in this analysis. Data was extracted or calculated, and meta-analysis was done by the Stata MIDAS module. A total of 23 studies with 5896 patients were included in this analysis. Summary estimates of all included studies are as follows: sensitivity 74% (95% CI, 68-79%); specificity 88% (95% CI, 81-92%); diagnostic odd ratio, 20 (95% CI, 10-40); positive likelihood ratio, 5.9 (95% CI, 3.6-9.6); and negative likelihood ratio, 0.30 (95% CI, 0.23-0.39). Summary sensitivity and specificity for studies with a prespecified threshold were 82% (95% CI, 71-89%) and 94% (95% CI, 87-98%), respectively. The estimated area under curve (AUC) was 85% (95% CI, 81-88%). There was no significant threshold effect but significant heterogeneity in both sensitivity and specificity. Heterogeneity in sensitivity became insignificant after removing two outliers of sensitivity analysis. It is concluded that THMT has an overall optimal predictive value for DL in adult patients with diverse ethnicity and various risk factors, displaying better predictive values in a large patient population comparing to other recent reported bedside assessments and a previous meta-analysis. As significant heterogeneity brought by un-standardized application of external laryngeal manipulations in the included studies may have biased the results of this meta-analysis, the actual predictive value of TMHT for DL still awaits further studies with good designs and large sample sizes for better determination.
Keywords: airway management; laryngoscopy; meta-analysis; systematic review; thyromental height test.