The Jaw Thrust Finds a Purpose During Flexible Fiberoptic Intubation

An unobstructed path through the airway makes fiberoptic intubation easier to perform. Patient positioning, airway adjuncts, and jaw or tongue manipulation have all been used to improve patency. The effect of the jaw thrust maneuver on airway obstruction in different patient positions has not been well studied.

Researchers randomly assigned 88 adults undergoing elective surgery to oral flexible fiberoptic intubation with jaw thrust in either a supine or 25° head up position. Patients with morbid obesity or predicted difficult airways were excluded. Two experienced anesthesiologists performed all intubations and subjectively assessed the degree of airway obstruction at the level of the soft palate and the glottic inlet. Airway clearance was b…