In suspected C-spine injury with facial trauma, which airway approach minimizes movement?

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Multiple Choice

In suspected C-spine injury with facial trauma, which airway approach minimizes movement?

In suspected C-spine injury with facial trauma, the priority is to secure the airway while keeping the neck in a stable, neutral position. A definitive airway with inline stabilization achieves this best: performing endotracheal intubation with manual inline stabilization minimizes cervical spine movement during airway manipulation, and rapid sequence intubation reduces coughing and movement that could otherwise compromise the spine. This approach provides a controlled airway while protecting the injured neck. Other options either don’t secure the airway adequately, carry a higher risk of causing neck movement, or rely on airway adjuncts that don’t prevent movement or protect the airway in this context.

In suspected C-spine injury with facial trauma, the priority is to secure the airway while keeping the neck in a stable, neutral position. A definitive airway with inline stabilization achieves this best: performing endotracheal intubation with manual inline stabilization minimizes cervical spine movement during airway manipulation, and rapid sequence intubation reduces coughing and movement that could otherwise compromise the spine. This approach provides a controlled airway while protecting the injured neck. Other options either don’t secure the airway adequately, carry a higher risk of causing neck movement, or rely on airway adjuncts that don’t prevent movement or protect the airway in this context.

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