🍋 LEMON Difficult Airway Assessment
UseWhen to use: before emergency RSI / intubation planning.
StrataMore flags → higher concern; prepare VL, SGA, cricothyrotomy kit.
LimitsWhen not to use: as clearance that airway will be easy. · Pitfall: skipping double-setup despite flags. · Every emergency airway needs failed-airway plan.
SourceReed MJ et al. / EM airway LEMON teaching literature
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.
Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
5-domain checklist.
When to use
When to use: before emergency RSI / intubation planning.
How it works
Look, Evaluate 3-3-2, Mallampati ≥3, Obstruction/obesity, Neck mobility — flag each.
Key points
- 5-domain checklist.
- Any flag matters.
- Next: Mallampati / MACOCHA / crash airway plan.
References
- Reed MJ et al. / EM airway LEMON teaching literature
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| L — Look externally (trauma, beard, large tongue, anomalous face) | No concern (0) |
|---|---|
| E — Evaluate 3-3-2 (inter-incisor <3 fb, hyoid–mental <3, thyroid–to-floor <2) | 3-3-2 reassuring (0) |
| M — Mallampati class ≥ III | I–II (0) |
| O — Obstruction / obesity (epiglottitis, abscess, mass, angioedema, morbid obesity) | None (0) |
| N — Neck mobility limited (C-spine precautions, ankylosis, rheumatoid) | Normal mobility (0) |
→LEMONNo flags
- Positive domains：0 / 5
| L — Look externally (trauma, beard, large tongue, anomalous face) | Concern present |
|---|---|
| E — Evaluate 3-3-2 (inter-incisor <3 fb, hyoid–mental <3, thyroid–to-floor <2) | Any measure fails |
| M — Mallampati class ≥ III | III–IV |
| O — Obstruction / obesity (epiglottitis, abscess, mass, angioedema, morbid obesity) | Present |
| N — Neck mobility limited (C-spine precautions, ankylosis, rheumatoid) | Limited |
→LEMON5 flag(s)
- Positive domains：5 / 5
- Flags：Look, Evaluate 3-3-2, Mallampati, Obstruction/obesity, Neck
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does LEMON Difficult Airway Assessment upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is LEMON Difficult Airway Assessment calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: L — Look externally (trauma, beard, large tongue, anomalous face) No concern (0), E — Evaluate 3-3-2 (inter-incisor <3 fb, hyoid–mental <3, thyroid–to-floor <2) 3-3-2 reassuring (0), M — Mallampati class ≥ III I–II (0), O — Obstruction / obesity (epiglottitis, abscess, mass, angioedema, morbid obesity) None (0), N — Neck mobility limited (C-spine precautions, ankylosis, rheumatoid) Normal mobility (0) → Result: LEMON No flags（Positive domains: 0 / 5） Inputs: L — Look externally (trauma, beard, large tongue, anomalous face) Concern present, E — Evaluate 3-3-2 (inter-incisor <3 fb, hyoid–mental <3, thyroid–to-floor <2) Any measure fails, M — Mallampati class ≥ III III–IV, O — Obstruction / obesity (epiglottitis, abscess, mass, angioedema, morbid obesity) Present, N — Neck mobility limited (C-spine precautions, ankylosis, rheumatoid) Limited → Result: LEMON 5 flag(s)（Positive domains: 5 / 5, Flags: Look, Evaluate 3-3-2, Mallampati, Obstruction/obesity, Neck）