Head elevating device and cricothyroid membrane position in pregnant women with obesity class 3: an observational study
Main finding · Sternal notch to CTM midpoint distanceResult — go to the resultMean difference 4.33 mm 95% CI 3.06–5.61Authors' conclusion
Head elevation increased the distance from the sternal notch to the CTM midpoint but did not affect CTM depth or height in pregnant women with class 3 obesity.
Study context
- Population
- Pregnant women with class 3 obesity presenting for elective cesarean delivery or in early labor
- Participants
- 50 women
- Exposure
- Head-elevated vs supine position
- Outcome
- Change in distance from sternal notch to cricothyroid membrane (CTM) midpoint
Methodological detailsultrasound assessment, within-subject comparison
- Ultrasound assessment
- Within-subject comparison
Main finding
Sternal notch to CTM midpoint distance
Mean difference
4.33 mm
95% CI 3.06–5.61
P < 0.0001
By group
Time 2 vs Time 1
mean difference 4.33 mm (95% CI 3.06–5.61); P < 0.0001
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Cricothyroid membrane (CTM) depth
- No difference in CTM depth (mean difference)
- −0.15 mm
- P value
- P = 0.66
CTM height
- No difference in CTM height (mean difference)
- 0.34 mm
- P value
- P = 0.20
Original publication
Head elevating device and cricothyroid membrane position in pregnant women with obesity class 3: an observational study. Int J Obstet Anesth. Published 8 May 2025. doi:10.
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