Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Review Case Reports
Airway management after upper cervical spine injury: what have we learned?
Survival after atlanto-axial-occipital ligamentous injury is uncommon and experience with the immediate clinical management of these patients is similarly low. There has been considerable work published recently with respect to airway management in similar patients and a review of this material was undertaken. ⋯ Patients who survive severe upper cervical ligamentous injury and present to hospital are uncommon. However, of those who do, both intact survival and survival with limited neurological sequelae do occur. Meticulous airway care with maintenance of alignment and provision of continuous cervical immobilization are an integral component of care in these patients.