Airway management in patients with cervical spine trauma and neurological symptoms. Case reports

  • Alejandro Bilbao Ares Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Division, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
  • Miguel Castañeda Pascual Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Division, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
  • Miguel Castañeda Pascual Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Division, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
  • Beatriz Merino Sierra Cardiology Division, Hospital Reina Sofía, Tudela, Spain
  • Juan Pablo Jimeno García Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Division, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
  • Marta Patricia Martín Vizcaíno Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Division, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
  • Miguel Salvador Bravo Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Division, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
Keywords: Airway Management, Spine, Wounds and Injuries, Intubation, Bronchoscopy

Abstract

Patients with traumatic injuries of the cervical spine who undergo a surgical intervention are a great challenge to the anesthesiologist. The airway management inherently involves movements of the cervical spine that may aggravate pre-existing injury. Currently there is not a consensus for the technique of intubation of these patients.

We present three patients with traumatic injuries associated neurological symptoms and cervical spine. All intubations were assisted with fiber bronchoscope, without removing the cervical collar and patients remained awake. All patients were examined again after intubation with no evidence of worsening of their neurological symptoms. We can conclude that the fiberoptic assisted intubation has several advantages in the care of these patients.

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How to Cite
1.
Bilbao Ares A, Castañeda Pascual M, Castañeda Pascual M, Merino Sierra B, Jimeno García JP, Martín Vizcaíno MP, et al. Airway management in patients with cervical spine trauma and neurological symptoms. Case reports. Colomb. J. Anesthesiol. [Internet]. 2017 Apr. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];45(Supplement):45-9. Available from: https://www.revcolanest.com.co/index.php/rca/article/view/455

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Published
2017-04-01
How to Cite
1.
Bilbao Ares A, Castañeda Pascual M, Castañeda Pascual M, Merino Sierra B, Jimeno García JP, Martín Vizcaíno MP, et al. Airway management in patients with cervical spine trauma and neurological symptoms. Case reports. Colomb. J. Anesthesiol. [Internet]. 2017 Apr. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];45(Supplement):45-9. Available from: https://www.revcolanest.com.co/index.php/rca/article/view/455
Section
Case Report / Case Series

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