Abstract des Autors

Blunt laryngeal injury is a rare but potentially catastrophic event. If the airway is not totally obstructed, the on-site physician should manage the upper airway following basic airway protocols. If the airway becomes totally obstructed on-site, orotracheal intubation using a small-diameter endotracheal tube is the procedure of choice. Translaryngeal ventilation and surgical cricothyrotomy are relatively contraindicated but may need to be used as a last resort. When the need for advanced airway procedures is likely, the patient should be transported expediently by advanced life support ambulance to the nearest appropriate emergency department. Verf.-Referat