title: Respiratory failure after tracheal extubation in a patient with halo frame cervical spine immobilization--rescue therapy using the Combitube airway.
abstract: A 78-yr-old man, with halo frame cervical spine immobilization, suffered rapid respiratory deterioration after tracheal extubation in the intensive care unit. Control of the airway was difficult as bag-valve-mask ventilation was ineffective, tracheal intubation was known to be difficult from management of a previous episode of respiratory failure on the ward, and laryngeal mask insertion proved impossible. Rescue therapy using a Combitube airway is described and discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mercer
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D016267:External Fixators; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*