- Immobilisation of the cervical spine is frequently carried out on patients who are at risk of spinal cord injury
- This is often based on the history and mechanism of injury rather than obvious signs and symptoms
- As clearly put in the book 'Trauma Rules'....
"The cervical spine is therefore usually immobilised because of potential injury, not absolute injury. However, airway obstruction is an absolute problem: if untreated the patient will certainly die" (1)
- The cervical spine should always be protected and immobilised whilst opening the airway in patients at risk of spinal cord injury
- The one exception is when there is impending death from a compromised airway - in this situation protection of the cervical spine may be overlooked (2)
Airway must take priority...
It is those patients without neurological signs & symptoms who benefit most from cervical spine immobilisation... (3)
References
1. Hodgetts T, Deane S, Gunning K. Trauma Rules. BMJ Publishing Group 1997 p15
2. Lewis FR, Trunkey DD. Emergency department care. In: Trunkey DD, Lewis FR, eds. Current therapy of trauma 1984-85. Philadelphia: BC Decker, 1984.
3. Hodgetts T, Deane S, Gunning K. Trauma Rules. BMJ Publishing Group 1997 p15
Dr. N. Sparrow - January 26th 2006
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