Alternative techniques of definitive airways in trauma patients in out-of-hospital settings

Definitywne drogi oddechowe są złotym standardem, jeśli chodzi o udrażnianie dróg oddechowych u pacjentów urazowych, ponieważ zapewniają najlepszą ochronę przed aspiracją treści z żołądka i w sposób pewny utrzymują drożność dróg oddechowych zapewniając jednocześnie możliwość wentylacji dodatnimi ciśnieniami o wyższej wartości. W warunkach pozaszpitalnych niejednokrotnie intubacja stanowi ogromne wyzwanie, gdyż nie zawsze można ją przeprowadzić w klasyczny sposób ze względu na niemożność ułożenia pacjenta na plecach. Istnieją jednak metody, co prawda mało popularne, które mogą z powodzeniem znaleźć zastosowanie w takich właśnie sytuacjach, a zastosowanie ich pozwoli zwiększyć poszkodowanym szansę na przeżycie.Definitive airway is often regarded as the gold standard when dealing with trauma patients because it offers superior level of airway protection as well as the possibility of positive pressure ventilation. However, establishing definitive airway in out-of-hospital settings is often challenging as sometimes it is simply impossible to place the patients in an adequate and comfortable position for classic tracheal intubation. There are different alternative methods of intubation, albeit rather unpopular, which can be used in the above-mentioned situation and their application may increase the chances of survival of trauma patients

Postępowanie w niespodziewanych trudnych drogach oddechowych u dzieci — stanowisko Sekcji Anestezjologii i Intensywnej Terapii Dziecięcej, Sekcji Przyrządowego Udrażniania Dróg Oddechowych Polskiego Towarzystwa Anestezjologii i Intensywnej Terapii oraz Po

Tracheal intubation may be defined as an artificial airway established in order to provide mechanical ventilation of the lungs during surgical procedures under general anaesthesia, treatment in an intensive care unit, as well as in emergency situations. Difficulties encountered during intubation may cause hypoxia, hypoxic brain injury and, in extreme situations, may result in the patient’s death. There may be unanticipated and anticipated difficult airway. Children form a specific group of patients as there are significant differences in both anatomy and physiology. There are some limitations in equipment used for the airway management in children. There are only few paediatric difficult airway guidelines available, some of which have significant limitations. The presented algorithm was created by a group of specialists who represent the Polish Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, as well as the Polish Neonatology Society. This algorithm is intended for the unanticipated difficult airway in children and can be used in all age groups. It covers both elective intubation, as well as rescue techniques. A guide forms an integral part of the algorithm. It describes in detail all stages of the algorithm considering some modifications in a specific age group, e.g. neonates. The main aim of Stage I is to optimise conditions for face mask ventilation, laryngoscopy and intubation. Stage IIA focuses on maximising the chances of successful intubation when face mask ventilation is possible. Stage IIB outlines actions aimed at improving face mask ventilation. Stage IIIA describes the use of a SAD (Supraglottic Airway Device) during effective face mask ventilation or in a CICV (Cannot Intubate, Cannot Ventilate) situation. Stage IIIB outlines intubation through a SAD. Stage IV describes rescue techniques and outlines possible options of either proceeding with surgery or postponing it, depending on clinical situation