Effect of Semirigid Cervical Collar During Nasotracheal Intubation by Glidescope in the Elective Cervical Spinal Surgical Patients: a Study of Clinical Predictors and Outcomes

Clinically used cervical orthoses can effectively limit cervical spine motion in all direction and provide protection. Among them, the restriction by Miami semirigid collar was superior, with the least tissue-interface pressure of neck. It is one of the most used semirigid collars for patients' protection in the operating theatre. However, the presence of the semirigid collar was shown to result in a poorer view at laryngoscopy, possibly due to a reduction in mouth opening. Nasotracheal intubation is sometimes applied in cervical spinal surgeries for those receiving anterior approach for a higher cervical spine (C3) level, and/ or combined with a short neck, or due to surgeon's preference. Glidescope minimizes cervical movements during laryngoscopy, facilitates nasotracheal intubation than direct laryngoscopy and requires less technical skill than fiberoptic tracheal intubation. The investigation was to assess the effect of cervical collar on nasotracheal intubation and potential hazard factors of prolonged time for nasotracheal intubation with Gildescope in patients scheduled for elective cervical spinal surgery.