Abstract: Objective： To explore the efficacy and safety of jaw thrust device(JTD) in keeping the airway patency on obesity patients during general anesthesia induction. Methods： Anesthetic induction with midazolam, propofol, fentanyl and atracurium was performed on 25 patients, whose BMI≥30, scheduled for selective surgery. JTD was connected to the anesthetic machine via anesthetic face mask to control respiration. After the muscle thoroughly relaxed, airway peak pressure (cmH2O) and airway patency were clinically assessed with Stridor score, breathing sounds detected by auscultation over the trachea were recorded twice at the head neutral posture， head back tilt，jaw thrust maneuver and jaw thrust device positions randomly. Then an endotracheal intubation and control respiration were given at once. Results： The airway peak pressure was higher at the head neutral and head back tilt posture than that at jaw thrust maneuver and JTD posture （F=356.2，P＜0.001）. The Stridor median score was significant higher at the head neutral and head back tilt posture than that at jaw thrust maneuver and JTD posture （χ2=587.6，P＜0.001）. Values of airway peak pressure and Stridor score showed no significant difference between jaw thrust maneuver and JTD posture. Conclusion： JTD is safe and stable for maintaining the airway patency during anesthetic induction for obesity patients and can effectively substitute the jaw thrust maneuver. JTD also provides an easy airway management on difficult airway patients for the anesthesiologists.

Key words: Obesity, General anesthesia induction, Airway obstructive, Jaw thrust maneuver