Intubation in trauma

Q: Patients from trauma scene should be intubated without the anterior portion of the cervical collar removed? (select one)

A) True
B) False


Answer: B

The anterior portion of the cervical collar should be temporarily removed for intubation in patients who arrive from a trauma scene with a complete cervical collar in place. Tracheal intubations performed with the complete cervical collar in place are associated with greater spinal subluxation. Said that despite the anterior portion of the cervical collar is temporarily removed, manual in-line stabilization should be maintained particularly during bag-mask ventilation (BMV).

#trauma
#procedure


Reference:

Austin N, Krishnamoorthy V, Dagal A. Airway management in cervical spine injury. Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2014;4(1):50–56. doi:10.4103/2229-5151.128013