Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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While the anatomic sniffing position has traditionally been considered the standard head and neck position for laryngoscopy, recent evidence suggests that the sniffing position provides no significant advantage over simple head extension. To establish if the sniffing position provides an anatomic advantage, we compared the occipito-atlanto-axial extension angle, a key determinant for obtaining a good laryngeal view during laryngoscopy, in simple head extension and sniffing positions. ⋯ The anatomic sniffing position provides greater occipito-atlanto-axial extension compared to simple head extension. These findings should be taken into consideration when optimizing patient positioning for laryngoscopy.