A Comparison Between Using Video Stylet and Video Laryngoscope in Difficult Intubation of Traumatic Patients .

The airway, breathing and circulation support '' ABCs" of trauma resuscitation were born from the assumption that correcting hypoxemia and hypotension reduces morbidity and mortality. Definitive care for severely injured or polytrauma patients includes the ability to provide advanced airway management in a variety of settings: in the emergency department, 20% to 30% intubations are for trauma. Airway management in traumatic patient presents numerous unique challenges beyond placement of an endotracheal tube, without comes dependent on the provider's ability to predict and anticipate difficulty and have a safe and executable plan. In severely injured patients, the cervical spine must be protected by in-line immobilisation during airway management. If orotracheal intubation is required, then manual in-line stabilisation is recommended to facilitate tracheal intubation to secure a space for tongue displacement into the submandibular space. However, manual in-line stabilisation can make alignment of the oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal axes difficult, resulting in a poor direct laryngoscopic view and prolonging the intubation time. Video stylets, which are portable and easier to prepare than flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopes, could be better option for tracheal intubation in patient with cervical immobilization. Previous studies have shown the usefulness of video stylets for tracheal intubation in cervical immobilized patients.

Video laryngoscopes provide a better laryngeal view. They are easy to use and have a high success rate and short intubation time in patients with predicted difficult airways. Successful use of video laryngoscopy is increasing for airway management of patients with trauma in the emergency department.