Airway management in trauma

Abstract

The first step of the primary survey in the evaluation of a trauma patient is airway assessment. It must be assessed for patency to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation or a secure airway established with a cuffed tube placed in the trachea [advanced trauma life support (ATLS)]. Out-of-hospital personnel may provide some airway support and supplemental oxygen while applying other measures to prevent blood loss and assess the severity of trauma. However, the assessment of airway adequacy by a trained trauma airwaymanager should occur within seconds to minutes of hospital arrival.