MANAGEMENT OF THE TRAUMATIZED AIRWAY

Abstract

Airway management in trauma patients may be one of the most difficult tasks faced by an anaesthesiologist. It presents him with several complex prombles not only these patients often in acute respiratory distress, but also disruption of normal anatomic relationship in the head and neck can make placement of artificial airways, laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation technically difficult and hazardous. The aim of this work was analysis of common pattern of airway disraption, methods of securing the airway and alternative method of ventilation throught retrospective analysis of the cases of traumatized airway in literature in addition to prospective analysis of some cases which admitted to university emergency hospital. According to the anatomical classification of airway trauma, maxillofacial trauma were reported in 23 patients, four patients with blunt neck trauma and two patients with penetrating neck trauma were analyzed. All of the analyzed patients were presented with signs and symptoms of partially or completely obstructed airway. On admission to emergency room, intial assessment was done in the form of:•