title: [Severe airway distress following cervical spine operation: retrospective breakdown of the chain of errors].
abstract: A 71-year-old female patient received a prothesis due to a cervical disc prolapsed and bleeding into the collar soft tissues occurred postoperatively. Following a computed tomography examination severe peracute respiratory decompensation occurred while administering topical anesthesia to the pharynx in order to perform fiber optic intubation. Endotracheal intubation using conventional laryngoscopy was unsuccessful and the patient required immediate cricothyroidotomy. As an on-site cricothyrotomy set to establish a secure airway was not available the decision was taken to perform surgical cricothyroidotomy. As a conclusion to this life-threatening event in the case of symptoms, such as dyspnea, dysphonia and dysphagia after operations of the cervical spine the airway has to be secured early and according to the local algorithm.
authors: Institut für Notfallmedizin, Berufsfeuerwehr Stadt Köln, Deutschland. christian.paul@stadt-koeln.de
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Paul
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ladra
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Pillai
authors: B W
authors: BW
authors: Böttiger
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Spöhr
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Keller
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Zarghooni
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D058109:Airway Management / Q000379:methods*; D000402:Airway Obstruction; D000465:Algorithms; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D055100:Optical Fibers; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local