Optimize The Head During Laryngoscopy - 新青年麻醉论坛

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2011-6-29 11:09 上传

Aligning the external auditory meatus to the sternal notch goes a long way toward optimizing head position relative to the chest, however, this is only the best estimate. You cannot know the head position that will maximize glottic view until you get in there. The best approach is as follows:
Before even attempting insertion of the laryngoscope, put the patient’s entire occiput in the palm of your right hand. An assistant should be pulling the right corner of the mouth.
Then use your right hand to gently elevate the head toward the ceiling (augmenting sniffing position) and extend the neck. If the patient is adequately relaxed, this maneuver will open the mouth and open the angle between the neck and sternum (see pics below), facilitating easy insertion of the laryngoscope.
Insert the laryngoscope blade and control the tongue. As you gently advance toward the epiglottis, continue to maneuver the head by (a) moving it toward or away from the ceiling and (b) extending or flexing the neck, as dictated by whatever maneuvers maximize your view of the glottis.
Once the patient’s head is in the position that maximizes glottic view, you need to mobilize your right hand to either take the endotracheal tube/bougie or, if the glottic view is still inadequate, externally optimize the larynx with bimanual laryngoscopy. Most operators can easily use the laryngoscope to suspend the head of most patients in the optimal position while they use their right hand for other tasks. If the patient’s head is too heavy to comfortably hold up, an assistant can either hold the head or place a roll of sheets under the head in that position. Or:A Novel Positioning Technique to Assist Laryngoscopy in Patients with a Potentially Difficult Airway
Waldron S, Dobson A. European Journal of Anaesthesiology. 2010; 27:921.
Dr. Waldron here describes the use of a 1 liter fluid infusion pressure bag placed under the patient’s shoulders as an easily adjustable implement to raise the head and extend the neck. Very cool. Especially if you’re short on assistants.