BACKGROUND The inability to secure a patient's airway in the prehospital setting is a major cause of potentially preventable death in the field of trauma and emergency medicine. METHODS The University of Arizona in Tucson has established two telepresence programs, the Southern Arizona Teletrauma and Telepresence Program and Tucson Emergency Room (ER)-Link for assisting with trauma and emergen...

Compared to internal laryngeal trauma caused by endolaryngeal procedures, trauma to the larynx caused by external forces is relatively rare. It has been incidence of 1 in every 22,900 emergency room visits. Rapid evaluation and protection of the airway are critical. A history of a cervical trauma with signs of hoarseness, difficulty breathing and pain should always alert the emergency physician...

BACKGROUND Laryngeal fracture is a rare condition that can lead to significant problems with airway patency, voice production, and swallowing. Conflict in the literature exists regarding the most suitable way to manage this injury. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 29-year-old Caucasian man who sustained a displaced fracture of the thyroid cartilage due to blunt trauma. He reported no swal...

Background: Mechanical Ventilation in the intensive care unit is one of the most important interventions. Artificial airways are used to facilitate ventilation and endotracheal tubes are usually used for this matter. Unplanned extubation is one of the major complications of oral endotracheal intubation. In addition to extubation , tube movement can also cause trauma to oral cavity. Stabilizing ...

Background: The inability to secure a patient’s airway in the prehospital setting is a major cause of potentially preventable death in the field of trauma and emergency medicine. Methods: The University of Arizona in Tucson has established two telepresence programs, the Southern Arizona Teletrauma and Telepresence Program and Tucson Emergency Room (ER)-Link for assisting with trauma and emergen...

The American College of Surgeons' Advanced Trauma Life Support procedure teaches that blind nasotracheal intubation should be performed in the presence of a suspected or proven cervical spine injury in an unconscious but breathing patient who requires an artificial airway. We studied a group of non-anaesthetically trained graduates of the Advanced Trauma Life Support course and examined their s...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS The objective of this study was to determine if there are differences in decannulation rates and duration of cannulation between pediatric patients undergoing tracheotomy for different indications. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective chart review. METHODS Medical records for pediatric patients (age 0-18 years) undergoing tracheotomy between January 1, 2003, and May 31, 2012, we...

OBJECTIVES Various different methods of intubation are suitable for facial trauma cases. A choice often has to be made between orotracheal and nasotracheal when surgical access to the nasal or oral cavity is necessary. This work presents our current experience using submental intubation in the airway management of facial trauma patients. STUDY DESIGN From July 2003 to February 2005, 13 suffer...

Estimates of the incidence of injury to the cervical spine among patients suffering blunt trauma to the head vary widely, and have been reported to be as high as 20%. Since strict observation of cervical spine precautions may delay attempts to gain control of the airway in a patient with an intracranial injury, the risk involved needs more exact definition. In an attempt to quantify this risk, ...

OBJECTIVES To assess submental route intubation as an alternative technique to a tracheostomy in the management of the airway in cranio-maxillofacial trauma, along with an assessment of its morbidity and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS Submental intubation was performed in 17 patients who had maxillofacial panfacial trauma and management was done under general anesthesia during a period ...