Simple head lift may improve breathing tube placement in tough cases

NCT ID NCT04716218

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether raising a patient's head and upper body (back-up head elevated position) helps doctors see the vocal cords better when using a video-laryngoscope. Sixty-four adults scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia participated. All wore a stiff neck collar to simulate a difficult airway. The researchers measured how much of the vocal cords could be seen and how quickly the breathing tube was placed.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to

If successful, this simple positioning technique could make intubation easier and safer for patients with limited neck movement.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed study with simulated difficult airways, not real patients. Real-world results may differ, and the technique may not help in all cases.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine

    Seoul, South Korea