Abstract
The initial evaluation of the trauma patient is directed toward determination if there is an adequate and stable airway. However, possibility of dislocation or fracture of the cervical vertebrae must be considered at the moment the initial evaluation of the airway and establishing an adequate and secure airway. In this paper recent special methods of airway management are mentioned. Secondly, this paper concerns the airway management for burned patients, especially with smoke inhalation injury. In these cases the airway obstruction tends to become worse over the first 24 hours after injury. For the burned patients due to explosions, we must also keep in mind possibility of cervical spinal injury like multiple trauma patients.
Finally, in patients with blunt trauma to the larynx and trachea the management of associated head, thoracic and abdominal injuries, however, may take precedence over the management of laryngeal and tracheal injuries. Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopic examination of the airway is the most reliable means of establishing not only a diagnosis of tracheobronchial injury but also its site, nature and extent. Bronchoscopy should be done as soon as the injury suspected following the respiratory and circulatory stabilization.
