• C Schoeneberg, A Wegner, M D Kauther, M Stuermer, T Probst, and S Lendemans.
• Klinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus Essen, Hellweg 100, 45276, Essen, Deutschland. carsten.schoeneberg@krupp-krankenhaus.de.
• Unfallchirurg. 2016 Apr 1; 119 (4): 314-22.

BackgroundTraining programs for the treatment of trauma patients generally recommend establishing a secure airway if the patient presents with a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of less than 9; however, the evidence for its effectiveness is rather sparse. This study analyzed the effect of preclinical intubation on mortality of patients with a GCS <9 in an emergency medical situation.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included patients who were primarily admitted to a German level 1 trauma center between 2002 and 2012 with an injury severity score (ISS) ≥ 16, a GCS < 9 and primary transport from the site of the accident. Data were collected from the trauma registry of the German Society for Trauma Surgery and from hospital records. A total of 455 patients were included and a matched-pair analysis of 62 patients was conducted.ResultsBoth analytical methods showed no significant reduction in mortality rate after prehospital intubation. In the retrospective analysis intubated patients presented with a significantly lower systolic blood pressure on admission, received a higher amount of fluid volume at all phases of treatment and arrived at the hospital after a prolonged rescue time. In the matched-pair analysis, intubated patients also received a higher amount of fluid volume and showed better peripheral oxygen saturation on admission. No further differences between the groups could be found.ConclusionIt appears that preclinical intubation in trauma patients with a GCS < 9 does not result in a better outcome. The preclinical intubation resulted in a reduced systolic blood pressure on arrival at hospital, a prolonged preclinical rescue time and a greater amount of infused fluid volume.

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