J Trauma
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Airway scope laryngoscopy under manual inline stabilization and cervical collar immobilization: a crossover in vivo cinefluoroscopic study.
Direct laryngoscopy along with manual inline stabilization (MIS) is currently the standard care for patients with suspected neck injuries. However, cervical collar immobilization is more commonly performed in the prehospital environment, and its early removal is necessary before intubation. We hypothesized that if usability of Airway Scope (AWS) in a difficult airway could also bring merits to intubation under cervical collar immobilization, unnecessary risk caused by the removal of a neck collar may be prevented. ⋯ When compared with cervical collar immobilization, AWS laryngoscopy along with MIS seems to be a safer and more definite method to secure airway of neck-injured trauma patients because it limits less mouth opening and upper cervical spine movement.