Table of Contents
What is the purpose for using the jaw thrust maneuver vs head tilt?
Conclusions: The jaw thrust maneuver results in less motion at an unstable C1-C2 injury as compared with the head tilt-chin lift maneuver. We therefore recommend the use of the jaw thrust to improve airway patency in the trauma patient with suspected cervical spine injury.
How does the head tilt-chin lift and jaw thrust open the airways?
Tilt the patient’s head back by pushing down on the forehead. Place the tips of your index and middle fingers under the chin and pull up on the mandible (not on the soft tissues). This lifts the tongue away from the posterior pharynx and improves airway patency.
What is the purpose of the jaw thrust maneuver?
The jaw-thrust maneuver is used to relieve upper airway obstruction by moving the tongue anteriorly with the mandible, minimizing the tongue’s ability to obstruct the airway.
When should a jaw thrust be used in place of a head tilt chin lift?
In the setting of a possible cervical spine injury, the jaw-thrust maneuver, in which the neck is held in a neutral position, is preferred over the head tilt–chin lift maneuver.
What 3 things should you avoid when performing the head tilt chin lift?
III. Technique
- One hand on forehead to tilt head back. Infant. Head in neutral position (sniffing position) Do not overextend head and neck. Child and adult. Head and neck slightly extended.
- Use other hand’s fingers under bony part of chin. Do not use thumb to lift chin. Lift Mandible upward and outward.
When should the jaw-thrust maneuver be used to open the airway?
Figure 9-6 The jaw-thrust maneuver is used to open the airway in patients with a suspected spinal injury. is not moved and remains in an anatomically neutral position, because any neck movement could result in spinal injury.
How do you perform the head tilt chin lift maneuver?
Head tilt–chin lift
- Tilt the patient’s head back by pushing down on the forehead.
- Place the tips of your index and middle fingers under the chin and pull up on the mandible (not on the soft tissues). This lifts the tongue away from the posterior pharynx and improves airway patency.
Why is the head tilt chin lift technique performed to open an airway?
The head tilt-chin lift and jaw-thrust methods are indicated for conscious and unconscious patients who do not have an adequate airway. The purpose of these methods is to open and maintain a patent (clear) airway or to relieve a partial or total airway obstruction.
What maneuver must be performed prior to displacing the jaw forward?
The jaw-thrust maneuver is used to open the airway in such a patient because the head and neck are not tilted back during this maneuver. The jaw (mandible) is displaced forward by the EMT’s fingers; this causes the patient’s tongue to be pulled forward, away from the back of the airway.
When is the jaw thrust technique indicated to help maintain an airway?
Jaw thrust is used if head/neck injury is present or suspected but this time only the index finger on the lower jaw is used’ (Resus Council UK 2015, Fiadjoe et al. 2016). In a child the neck should be slightly extended. This is known as the sniffing position.