The Addition of a Head Rotation When the Ramped Position Fails to Provide Good Laryngeal Visualization: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Although several studies have reported that the ramped position (torso and head elevated) significantly improves laryngoscopic view, in our experience, the ramped position fails to provide good laryngeal visualization in some cases. When the ramped position failed to provide good laryngeal visualization, we added a head rotation in order to improve laryngeal visualization in 62 patients. The method significantly improved laryngeal visualization and did not cause laryngeal disturbances postoperatively.