Chin-Lift Manoeuvre – Obese Patients

In obese patients, standard pillow placement may compromise the airway further by causing flexion of the head in relation to the neck.

To optimise an obese patient’s airway, place a pillow under their shoulders and a number of pillows under their head to elevate the chin above the chest (See Figure 6 & 7).

Fig 6: Chin-lift manoeuvre. Neutral position, malalignment of the axes. Obese patient	Fig 7: Chin-lift manoeuvre. ‘Sniffing’ position, improved alignment of the axes. Obese patient