title: Cervical spine movement during orotracheal intubation.
abstract: We measured cervical spine movement during orotracheal intubation in 16 anesthetized patients without neck injury. Comparisons were made using straight and curved laryngoscope blades without stabilization, Philadelphia collar stabilization, and in-line stabilization by an assistant. There was cervical spine movement in all cases. There was no significant difference in movement without stabilization when comparing straight and curved laryngoscope blades (P = .8536). There was no significant decrease in movement when a Philadelphia collar was applied (P = 1.000). There was a significant decrease in movement when in-line stabilization was applied (P = 0.0056). Although none of the methods tested totally prevented cervical spine movement during orotracheal intubation, the least movement was obtained by the use of in-line stabilization by an assistant. The type of laryngoscope blade used or application of a Philadelphia collar did not reduce movement significantly.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D013131:Spine