• Wei Wei, Shi-Wei Huang, Lian-Hua Chen, Yang Qi, Yi-Min Qiu, and Shi-Tong Li.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Xin-songjiang Road, Shanghai 20080, China.
• J Biomech. 2017 Feb 8; 52: 89-94.

AbstractThe feasibility of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to evaluate airflow characteristics in different head and neck positions has not been established. This study compared the changes in volume and airflow behavior of the upper airway by CFD simulation to predict the influence of anatomical and physiological airway changes due to different head-neck positions on mechanical ventilation. One awake volunteer with no risk of difficult airway underwent computed tomography in neutral position, extension position (both head and neck extended), and sniffing position (head extended and neck flexed). Three-dimensional airway models of the upper airway were reconstructed. The total volume (V) and narrowest area (Amin) of the airway models were measured. CFD simulation with an Spalart-Allmaras model was performed to characterize airflow behavior in neutral, extension, and sniffing positions of closed-mouth and open-mouth ventilation. The comparison result for V was neutral Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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