Troop Elevation Pillow – Addition

The Troop Elevation Pillow facilitates airway management for obese/OSA patients by consistently achieving the head elevated laryngoscopy positioning (H.E.L.P.). H.E.L.P., which the head is visibly above the shoulder with horizontal alignment between the external auditory meatus and sternal notch, improves visualization during direct laryngoscopy compared to the sniffing position in obese patients. Other benefits include more efficient preoxygenation and easier bag-mask ventilation in obese patients.

For super morbidly obese patients (BMI greater than 50), the addition is utilized to achieve H.E.L.P. H.E.L.P. is mutually beneficial to the patient and anesthesia medical provider as it facilitates successful 1st pass intubation for obese patients. This positioning technique compliments all forms of airway management – direct laryngoscopy, GlideScope, Airtraq, etc