ABSTRACT
Airway management is of paramount importance in caring for the trauma patient. The primary goals of airway intervention are to relieve or prevent airway obstruction, secure the unprotected airway from aspiration, provide adequate gas exchange, and maintain cervical spine stabilization. Gaining control of the traumatized airway is the ultimate test of the provider's adeptness and clinical acumen. When the airway is secured, it is important to complete a diagnostic workup to determine the severity of the injury, as structures that can potentially be damaged after trauma to the face and neck include the upper airway, cervical spine, and aerodigestive tract. Once the extent of the injury is determined, the choice remains whether to treat the injury conservatively or surgically. Presented first are some of the key questions a provider must understand to properly manage the airway of these patients. Addressed next is a discussion directed at successfully navigating the challenge of airway management in the presence of acute airway trauma.
