Positions of comfort to help maintain airway patency in patients with severe obstruction:
"Sniffing" position (neck is mildly flexed and head is mildly extended)
Tripod position (leaning forward while bracing on the arms, with neck hyperextended and chin thrust forward)
¶ Refer to UpToDate algorithms and topics on pediatric basic life support for health care providers and FB obstruction. Δ Refer to UpToDate topics on evaluation of upper airway obstruction in children. ◊ Surgical cricothyrotomy may be appropriate in selected patients younger than 12 years of age, as determined by cricothyroid membrane size. Refer to UpToDate topics on needle and surgical cricothyroidotomy.