title: Aspiration in severe trauma: a prospective study.
abstract: The incidence and origin of contamination of the vocal cords in 53 trauma patients was studied when tracheal intubation was performed before hospital admission. Eighteen patients (34%) had gross contamination which was blood in 15 patients and gastric contents in three patients. This has implications for prehospital airway management and particularly for use of the laryngeal mask airway.
authors.affiliation: Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lockey
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coats
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Parr
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*