Cadaveric study of movement of an unstable atlanto-axial (C1/C2) cervical segment during laryngoscopy and intubation using the Airtraq (R), Macintosh and McCoy laryngoscopes

McCahon, R.A.; Evans, D.A.; Kerslake, R.W.; McClelland, S.H.; Hardman, J.G.; Norris, A.M.

Abstract

Concern that laryngoscopy and intubation might create or exacerbate a spinal cord injury has generated extensive research into cervical spinal movement during laryngoscopy. We performed a randomised trial on six cadavers, using three different laryngoscopes, before and after creating a type?2 odontoid peg fracture. Our primary outcome measure was the change in the space available for the spinal cord at the C1/2 segment measured by cinefluoroscopy. Tracheal intubation was performed using a minimal view of the glottis, a bougie, and manual in?line stabilisation. In a cadaveric model of type?2 odontoid fracture, the space available for the cord was preserved in maximum flexion and extension, and changed little on laryngoscopy and intubation.

Citation

McCahon, R., Evans, D., Kerslake, R., McClelland, S., Hardman, J., & Norris, A. (2015). Cadaveric study of movement of an unstable atlanto-axial (C1/C2) cervical segment during laryngoscopy and intubation using the Airtraq (R), Macintosh and McCoy laryngoscopes. Anaesthesia, 70(4), 452-461. doi:10.1111/anae.12956

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 3, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Dec 5, 2014
• Publication Date: Mar 12, 2015
• Deposit Date: Sep 6, 2017
• Print ISSN: 0003-2409
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2044
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 70
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 452-461
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.12956
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1110642
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/anae.12956
• PMID: 00035212