Prevalence of Oral Sub Mucosal Fibrosis in Pre- Anesthesia Clinic in India: A Cross Sectional Observational Study

Introduction: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a premalignant lesion of the buccal mucosa usually caused by chewing of betel nut, areca nut and tobacco. OSMF causes difficulty in laryngoscopy and intubation of the trachea. Patient of submucosal fibrosis do come for emergency and elective surgeries requiring general anaesthesia. In such scenario maintaining airway is a big challenge for anaesthesiologist. Knowledge of Prevalence of submucosal fibrosis in local region and degree of OSMF with difficult intubation may help anaesthesiologist to prepare and plan airway management in such conditions.

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of oral submucous fibrosis in patients coming in pre-anaesthesia clinic and assessment of airway and prevalence of degree of OSMF by measuring Interincisal mouth opening in patients of oral submucosal fibrosis.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the department of anaesthesiology on 500 patients coming in pre-anaesthesia clinic. Patients were identified and sent to dental department for confirmation of diagnosis OSMF if one or more clinical feature of OSMF were present. A detailed proforma was used to record demographic parameter, the type of tobacco, betelnut and areccanut chewing habits, difficulty in mouth opening, inter incisor distance. OSMF was divided in 4 stages on the basis of inter incisor distance.

Results: Prevalence rate of submucosal fibrosis patients coming in our pre-anaesthesia clinic was 8%. Thirty patients were found to be in stage 1 (75%.), nine patients were found to be in stage 2 (22.5%) and only one patient was in stage 3.

Conclusion: Being aware of the prevalence of OSMF in the region and stages of OSMF in regard to inter incisor distance in pre-operative clinic helps anaesthesiologists to prepare and plan airway management. And hence surgical exploration can be avoided.